Commenting on today’s launch of Sinn Féin’s ‘Tackling Waiting Lists’ plan, Tipperary TD Martin Browne said that Sinn Féin’s proposals are needed “in the face of a tsunami of delayed and missed care which is barrelling down on the health service.”
The Sinn Féin TD said that this is particularly needed in County Tipperary given the excessive waiting lists in South Tipperary University Hospital and Nenagh Hospital.
Teachta Browne said:
“HSE waiting lists in Co Tipperary are in excess of 7,543.
“This includes 440 children.
“For Example, Tipperary University Hospital’s Cardiology outpatient list has 895 people on it with nearly 30% waiting over a year.
Nenagh Hospital’s gynaecology services have more than 260 people languishing on the outpatient waiting list and more than 30% are waiting over a year.
“Patients are waiting longer than ever to receive care.
“The health service is at crisis point and it is not fit for purpose. Action is needed now.
“Sinn Féin is proposing a fully costed €914m package, including one-off capital investment of €568m, to turn the tide in favour of patients and healthcare workers.
“This includes 600 more beds above the Government’s current plans, filling more than 600 consultant posts and hiring 4,000 additional hospital staff, and 430 critical care beds by 2025.
“This also includes €150m for theatre capacity expansion and equipment to deliver more treatment in public hospitals, and a fund of €100m for equipment upgrades and patient management and waiting list system modernisation.
“Everywhere we look in the health service, from waiting lists to Covid-19 to the cyber-attack, there is a fire to be put out and an emergency to be tackled. It is limping from crisis to crisis.
“We need an urgent plan to catch up on missed care, reduce waiting lists, and deliver a top class, universal public health service.
“We need fresh start with a system which is fair for workers, equitable for patients, efficient, and modern.
“Above all else, we need a political class and a Government with the will to tackle waiting lists.”
