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Sláintecare must not be neglected in the revised National Development Plan (NDP), according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Sláintecare cannot be allowed to become a sacrificial lamb in the revised NDP, due to be published next week. “While there should absolutely be a clear focus […]

The decision to defer health labelling on alcoholic drinks has all of the hallmarks of industry lobbying taking precedence over public health concerns, according to Social Democrats Enterprise spokesperson Sinéad Gibney. Deputy Gibney said: “This government had committed to introducing health labelling on alcoholic drinks next year – but that promise has now been broken. […]

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 […]

New HSE research showing that only 38 per cent of people in Ireland are aware of the link between alcohol and cancer highlights the need for the government to proceed with alcohol health warning labels, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “This latest research […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

The Labour Court decision to extend a payment for healthcare workers with debilitating Long Covid until December 2025 is a welcome one, but more must be done, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide, a former clinical psychologist with Long Covid services. Deputy Quaide said: “The government must recognise Long Covid as an occupational illness […]

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 […]

The costly employment of agency staff across the health system, including in mental health services, reflects a deep failure in workforce planning by successive governments, 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 by the HSE showed that the […]