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Sexual health services are being starved of funding and resources while the Minister for Health continues to pay lip service to HIV prevention, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “At today’s Health Committee meeting on sexual health services, we heard that while the HSE and […]

The Minister for Health must initiate High Court action against BAM, the only option remaining to her, to compel the delivery of the National Children’s Hospital, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who chairs the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “Today was the day that the hospital should have been handed over, […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has called on the Minister for Health to introduce a rolling replacement programme for radiation therapy machines. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “At today’s Health Committee, we heard from the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Society of Radiation Oncology about the indisputable need for a […]

For too long, sexual health services have been treated as little more than an afterthought by the State, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the Chair of the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “A new Sexual Health Strategy was published last year, three years after the previous one expired, but […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has called on the Minister for Health to act swiftly on the recommendations of the Report on Dental Services in the Healthcare System, which is being launched by the Oireachtas Health Committee today. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson and chair of the Health Committee, said: “It is […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice has welcomed that Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) have finally been added to the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening, commonly known as the heel prick test. Deputy Rice, who chairs the Oireachtas Health Committee, said: “This is an incredibly important milestone for families impacted by SCID […]

An elective-only hospital in Galway could potentially deliver 175,000 additional procedures and consultations a year, a public meeting organised by the Social Democrats in Knocknacarra heard this week. The meeting on Galway’s healthcare crisis, held in Knocknacarra Community Centre, was hosted by Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich, the Social Democrats’ Galway West by-election candidate. Guest speakers on […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has today renewed his call on the Minister for Health to consider taking legal action against BAM to push the troubled National Children’s Hospital project over the line. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “At today’s Health Committee, it was confirmed that the 18th substantial completion deadline […]

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice has welcomed the Minister for Health’s confirmation that she will commence Section 232 of the Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) Act on April 20. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “In response to my parliamentary question, the Minister for Health has confirmed that she will commence Section 232 […]

Daffodil Day is an opportune time put a spotlight on Ireland’s cancer care services, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice made his comments as the Irish Cancer Society’s biggest annual fundraiser got under way across the country today. He said: “Huge progress has been made in cancer treatment in recent decades, […]