Drop Down Menu
  Search...
 

Coalition urged to scrap private hospital scheme 02.04.07

A Donegal councillor has described as "outrageous" Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s claim that the Government has 'a mandate’ to build additional private hospitals.
Speaking as the party prepared to protest at the FF/PD coalition plans to co-locate private hospitals within some public hospital grounds, Cllr. MacLochlainn said: "It is outrageous for the Taoiseach to state, as he did in the Dáil, 'we have a mandate to build additional private hospitals…'.”
“Neither Fianna Fáil nor the PDs sought or received any such mandate from the people. Their notorious co-location scheme is not in the Programme for Government nor in the Government Health Strategy.
“This plan is a profit-driven initiative designed to assist investors who regard healthcare primarily as a lucrative business,” the Donegal North East SF election candidate added.
He reiterated that regional cancer care provision – specifically a satellite radiotherapy unit for the North West – remained Donegal Sinn Fein’s ‘paramount political priority’.
"Sinn Féin is vehemently opposed to this co-location plan which will worsen the already inefficient and inequitable two-tier system.
“We demand that the plan be scrapped now before any contracts are signed.”
The Buncrana-based councillor called on the coalition to replace their co-location scheme with resources to supply the additional 3,000 beds required in the public system “with equal access for all patients, based on need alone”.
"As the only all-Ireland political party, Sinn Féin is best placed to deliver a comprehensive, decent and fair healthcare system throughout the island.
"In fighting for Donegal’s future, Sinn Féin is also best placed to deliver North West regional cancer care provision as an all-Ireland political priority through our ever-increasing strength in every decision-making forum on the island."

Return to > News