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The women of Ireland deserve better than the Minister doing a grubby backroom deal in secret Health Minister Stephen Donnelly must come before the Oireachtas Health Committee to answer questions about the proposed relocation of the national maternity hospital to St Vincent’s campus – before he signs off on the deal, according to Social Democrats […]

There is a real and genuine public concern that the government will be on the wrong side of history when it comes to the national maternity hospital  Health Minister Stephen Donnelly must publish the legal framework for the new national maternity hospital and bring it before the Dáil before it is signed off by cabinet, […]

It is clear that the Health Minister has lost control of his Department and lacks authority It is hugely regrettable that Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan was dragged into a political controversy of the Department of Health’s creation and is now leaving the public service, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Public health […]

The Minister’s own Sláintecare progress report revealed key areas of the strategy are nowhere near implementation The new Waiting List Action Plan will not work as it fails to address structural issues within the health service, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “The €350 million investment in tackling waiting lists, that was announced […]

It is bizarre to suggest that the agency centrally responsible for the failure of care should investigate itself An independent review of HSE-run disability services in the northwest is urgently required, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Further revelations about a lack of adherence to safeguarding procedures in HSE-run disability services in the […]

The Social Democrats have put down a motion, to be debated in the Dáil tomorrow, on the real cost of cancer It is unconscionable that cancer patients are being pursued by debt collection agencies for bills related to their chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “If you do not […]

A single junior doctor cannot be scapegoated for this entire scandal. HSE CEO Paul Reid must ensure there is accountability among the senior management team for the scandal at South Kerry CAMHS, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “HSE CEO Paul Reid appeared on Morning Ireland today, but was unable to provide any […]

Nphet made it very clear there was no longer any public health justification for retaining visitor restrictions The Health Minister must give a clear direction that visiting restrictions at hospitals and nursing homes should be lifted, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Last week, in their letter to government, Nphet made it very clear […]

We have navigated our way through the maze of this pandemic using public health advice – and that advice has now identified an exit The removal of almost all covid restrictions is a historic moment in our battle against covid, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “Covid has consumed all of our lives […]

The issue of a subsidy for antigen tests must urgently be revisited The government must publish a long-term strategy on how it plans to manage the pandemic throughout the year, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “We are now in the third year, and fourth wave, of covid but no long-term strategy to […]

By contrast, a 12-hour walk-in clinic is operating in Cork  The HSE must explain why there are no walk-in clinics for boosters for over 40s anywhere in Co. Dublin today, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “There are no walk-in clinics for boosters for over 40s operating anywhere in Co. Dublin today. The […]

The government must stop dodging this question and tell us if they have a plan Clarity is required on when covid certs will be updated to include booster doses as some EU countries have announced certs with just two doses will no longer be valid after nine months, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín […]

The review, of this important piece of legislation, has all of the hallmarks of a rush job It is deeply regrettable that the Health Minster has failed to appoint an independent expert to head a review of abortion legislation in advance of that review commencing, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “In March, […]

This is a decision that makes no sense on either public health or financial grounds The decision of the government to scrap a subsidy scheme for antigen tests is a serious dereliction of duty, according to Social Democrats Health Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “It beggars belief that Health Minister Stephen Donnelly would announce a U-turn of […]