News

News that two consultants are seeking to carry out private practice in newly established public surgical hubs further emphasises the need to remove all private healthcare from public facilities, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “New surgical hubs are being established across the country to reduce waiting lists, enabling the […]

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion on Wednesday (February 25) aimed at addressing the crisis in GP care in Ireland. The party’s 20-point plan sets out a number of key measures to improve access, remove costs and increase capacity when it comes to general practitioner care in Ireland. These include: Introducing free GP […]

While the NDP Sectoral Plan for Health includes much-needed projects to improve our health service, crucial details are missing in terms of their delivery, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “Following the publication of an underwhelming NDP last July, this Sectoral Plan for Health is long overdue. Much of our […]

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 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 […]

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 […]