The long-awaited Sl\u00e1intecare plan, published today, is short on ambition, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson P\u00e1draig Rice.<\/p>\n
Deputy Rice said:<\/p>\n
\u201cPublication of this plan is well overdue, as we have been without one since the end of 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cA draft of the latest plan, titled \u2018Sl\u00e1intecare 2025+\u2019, was submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Health last summer \u2013 so why did it take a year to publish?<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, what has been published today is underwhelming. It lacks detailed costings and fails to state how much has been pledged to implement this plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor instance, it talks about the overall health budget allocation, but does not specify how much is ring-fenced for reform.<\/p>\n
\u201cI acknowledge the progress made on restructuring the HSE into health regions, as well as Sl\u00e1intecare initiatives such as the Enhanced Community Care programme and the Chronic Disease Management Programme, which are moving more care into the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, I am very concerned that the government\u2019s emphasis continues to be on eligibility, not rights, when it comes to healthcare.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Ireland, there is no legal right to healthcare \u2013 people are deemed to be \u2018eligible\u2019 for healthcare based on income or age, but eligibility does not confer any right to services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe focus should be on providing health and social care services based on need, and not ability to pay. However, the Minister seems more concerned with reviewing eligibility, under a vague commitment to \u2018move towards universal healthcare\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am also deeply concerned about the lack of progress with the strategic review of general practice. That was initiated in 2023 and was due to conclude that same year. We should be moving forward with salaried GPs, employed directly by the HSE, to address the recruitment and retention challenges in the sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut instead, such reform is being put on hold until the well overdue strategic review is complete.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new plan is also silent on progressing free GP care for all \u2013 a key aspect of Sl\u00e1intecare.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am, however, pleased to see such an emphasis on workforce planning \u2013 something that has been so absent for too long. This work must be carried out with greater collaboration with unions, as well as other government departments. The Department of Further Education has a key role in ensuring we have an adequate number of training and clinical placements to address current pressures and changing demographics.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Social Democrats will continue to support genuine efforts to implement Sl\u00e1intecare, but unfortunately this plan does not inspire much confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need firm timelines and costings, and crucially, greater political will to accelerate full reform of our health service.\u201d<\/p>\n
May 14, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The long-awaited Sl\u00e1intecare plan, published today, is short on ambition, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson P\u00e1draig Rice. Deputy Rice said: \u201cPublication of this plan is well overdue, as we have been without one since the end of 2023. \u201cA draft of the latest plan, titled \u2018Sl\u00e1intecare 2025+\u2019, was submitted to the Cabinet Committee on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11561,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,642,7,691],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-padraig-rice","category-press-release","category-slaintecare"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n