THE Health Minister and
HSE chief are "presiding over chaos in our health
services", according to an Inishowen councillor.
Cllr. Padraig MacLochlainn said that while thousands
of people are being treated successfully there was a
huge obstacle to accessible care for many.
"The obstacle to accessible care for all who need
it, is the grossly inequitable two-tier nature of
the system.
"Minister Harney is reinforcing that two-tier system
and Professor Brendan Drumm is implementing policy
on her behalf and on behalf of the Fianna Fáil/PD/Green
Government," said Cllr. MacLochlainn.
He said cancer patients were being "denied
life-saving treatment" because the Government has
failed to provide the radiation oncology facilities
that are required.
"This dire need has been recognised for many years
and the Government has had ample time and a booming
economy to plan and budget for the provision of
radiotherapy centres.
"The Government first committed itself to
public-private partnerships (PPPs) to deliver
radiation oncology centres. Then it was found these
would take too long. Then a review was ordered. We
have been told that the centres may be delayed to
2014 or even 2015."
He said that in recent policy decisions the northern
half of the country was not provided for.
The Buncrana-based town and county councillor also
said the pharmacy dispute remained deadlocked.
"This dispute has raised the prospect of people with
medical cards being denied their medication at their
community pharmacy if the pharmacists withdraw from
the scheme as threatened from December 1," he added.
"This is a particular concern in Donegal as a large
percentage of customers in local pharmacies are
medical card holders, in some cases up to 80%." |
