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Cancer services deteriorating under the watch of this government

The gaps in cancer care are a result of lessening government commitment to the National Cancer Strategy, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “Today’s Irish Cancer Society report shows a postcode lottery exists for patients trying to access vital cancer care – receiving treatment for a serious illness should never […]

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Recruitment drive needed to tackle deplorable waiting lists for primary care services for young people

The government must commit to a comprehensive recruitment drive to tackle the crisis in primary care services for young people, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “Figures released to me reveal the abject state of primary care services for young people […]

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€64m proposal for St. Stephen’s Hospital, Cork, will deny residents the right to community living

The HSE’s proposal to invest €64m developing a 50-bed residential mental health service on the grounds of St. Stephen’s Hospital, Glanmire, is an attempt to move back to the dark ages of service provision, according to Social Democrats mental health spokesperson Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide said: “It is entirely at odds with the progressive trend […]

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Minister for Health must accept recommendations to prevent overreliance on insourcing and outsourcing

Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice has welcomed the publication of the HSE’s review of insourcing and outsourcing in the health service. Deputy Rice, who is Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “Ahead of this morning’s Health Committee sitting, the Minister for Health published the HSE’s review of insourcing and outsourcing, which identified serious […]

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Delay of essential alcohol labelling measure would be a retrograde step for public health

It’s outrageous that the government is willing to sacrifice an essential public health measure to keep the alcohol industry happy, according to Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “It is unacceptable that alcohol labelling has officially been put on the back burner – sacrificing public health measures in favour of appeasing the alcohol […]

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Minister must address glaring gaps in new National Sexual Health Strategy

The long overdue publication of the new National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2035, while welcome, contains some glaring gaps that the Minister must address, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “The last strategy, which covered 2015-2020, was understandably extended until the end of 2022 as […]

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CHI’s responses at Health Committee completely inadequate

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has described today’s responses from CHI at the Oireachtas Health Committee as deeply disappointing and completely inadequate. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson and chair of the Health Committee, said: “From what we heard this morning, it would seem that some in CHI still do not appreciate the […]

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