John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise the following urgent matter: the health sector cutbacks leading to cutbacks in patient services at hospitals across the country. Extensive cutbacks of frontline staff at Sligo General Hospital will adversely affect the quality and availability of patient care. The scale of the job cuts at Sligo General Hospital exceeds anything proposed for any other location. The inclusion of both nursing and consultant staff seriously erodes the capacity of the hospital to maintain the current standard of service and care. With more than 360 patients on the waiting list for surgery for more than 12 months, these major cutbacks will result in longer waiting times for patients. Out-patient appointments and clinics will be cancelled, leading to greater hardship and stress for patients.

While budgetary matters are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, it is the responsibility of the Minister for Health and Children to ensure that standards of care and access to services are maintained. The Minister urgently needs to address these very serious concerns.

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