News

It is hugely welcome that a deal to roll out free HRT has finally been agreed – but the Minister must reimburse women who have spent hundreds of euro on HRT already this year, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice Deputy Rice, who’s the party’s health spokesperson, said: “A firm commitment was given, by […]

The long-awaited Sláintecare plan, published today, is short on ambition, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “Publication of this plan is well overdue, as we have been without one since the end of 2023. “A draft of the latest plan, titled ‘Sláintecare 2025+’, was submitted to the Cabinet Committee on […]

The government must urgently publish its audit into those children wronged by unnecessary hip surgeries, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who’s the party’s health spokesperson, said: “I first raised the issue of children enduring unnecessary hip surgeries with Taoiseach Micheál Martin back in March.  “Nearly two months later we are still […]

The development of the new National Maternity Hospital must not be hindered by the same mistakes which have delayed the opening of the New Children’s Hospital, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who’s the party’s health spokesperson, said: “The National Maternity Hospital cannot become another runaway train – its development has been […]

Trans people in Ireland are being denied access to timely gender-affirming care, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who’s the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Ireland’s transgender healthcare services need urgent reform and reconfiguration to adequately provide for the trans community. “In 2022, Ireland was found to have the worst healthcare system for […]

Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson today raised serious concerns about the continued failure to believe women within the Irish healthcare system, and the prevalence of medical gaslighting. Senator Stephenson said: “In the Seanad today, I called on the Minister for Health to provide a full update on the implementation of the Women’s Health Action Plan. […]

Those presenting to emergency departments with mental health issues, including children, are left waiting for their conditions to deteriorate, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who’s the party’s mental health spokesperson, said: “Today’s Mental Health Commission report highlights a broken system of emergency mental health care for our most distressed service-users. “Successive […]

The failure to proceed to phase two of the Farrelly Commission investigation into the ‘Grace’ case, which would examine allegations of abuse of other residents in her foster family, cannot be defended and must be examined in Oireachtas hearings, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s disability spokesperson, said: […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has welcomed the Minister for Health’s acceptance that a dispensing fee should be covered as part of the delayed free HRT scheme – but has criticised the government’s questionable handling of the issue. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Despite the Minister setting a target today for […]

Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) must immediately act on the findings of damning report into the use of surgical implants and implantable medical devices at its hospitals, including Temple Street, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “Today’s report from the Health Information and Quality Authority […]