Sinn Féin's Vision for Irish Healthcare
As your local Sinn Féin Dublin West TD, I'm excited to share with you our comprehensive plan to transform Ireland's healthcare system. Our vision is bold, ambitious, and, most importantly, achievable. We believe that every person in Ireland deserves access to high-quality healthcare when they need it, without the burden of long waiting times or financial strain.
Universal Healthcare for All
At the heart of our plan is a commitment to universal healthcare. We aim to:
- Provide free prescription medicines for all households
- Abolish prescription charges for medical card holders
- Increase medical card entitlements to the median income
- Enact Healthcare for All legislation, setting a path to full public health cover by 2035
These measures will significantly reduce the financial burden on families and ensure that no one has to choose between their health and their wallet.
Tackling Hospital Overcrowding and Waiting Lists
We understand the frustration and pain caused by overcrowded hospitals and long waiting lists. Our plan addresses these issues head-on:
- Deliver 5,000 hospital beds by 2031, including replacing 1,000 unsafe beds
- Build four new elective-only public hospitals and regional surgical centres
- Implement our Comhliosta integrated waiting list reform
These steps will dramatically reduce waiting times and improve the quality of care for all patients.
Revolutionising Mental Health Services
Mental health is a critical component of overall wellbeing, and our plan gives it the attention it deserves:
- Implement a €250 million Mental Health Action Plan
- Focus on early intervention, primary, community, and acute mental health services
- Prioritise improvements in children and youth mental health services
We're committed to breaking down barriers to mental health care and ensuring support is available when and where it's needed.
Investing in Our Healthcare Workforce
Our healthcare workers are the backbone of our system. We plan to:
- Recruit 40,000 healthcare workers over 5 years
- Offer job guarantees to Irish health graduates
- Double CAO entry places for medicine, nursing, and health and social care courses
- Develop a landmark public GP contract and employ 250 public GPs
By investing in our workforce, we'll ensure better staffing levels and improved care for patients.
Supporting Disabled People
Our plan includes significant improvements for disabled people:
- Fully staff Children's Disability Network Teams
- Double Personal Assistance hours
- Provide over 3,000 additional residential places
- Expand day services and double investment in respite services
We're committed to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.
Modernising Healthcare Delivery
To bring our healthcare system into the 21st century, we'll:
- Invest €2 billion in digital transformation
- Target €1 billion in savings and efficiencies across the health service
- Implement a 'Pharmacy First' model for common conditions
These measures will improve efficiency, reduce waste, and make healthcare more accessible to all.
Conclusion
Our healthcare plan is comprehensive, ambitious, and, most importantly, achievable. It addresses the critical issues facing our health system today while laying the groundwork for a healthier, more equitable future. As your Sinn Féin TD, I'm committed to fighting for these changes. Together, we can build a healthcare system that truly serves the needs of all Irish people. Your support is crucial in making this vision a reality. Let's work together to deliver the healthcare system Ireland deserves.
