Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is important that the Minister understand the need for health care reform. The public system is not fit for purpose. It is fragmented, disjointed and incoherent. Some areas work reasonably well, but all areas are under pressure and struggle to deliver quality care services. There are lengthening waiting lists in outpatient departments, as well as lengthening inpatient lists for urgent and planned care. Of course, there are also lengthening trolley queues. In addition, there is an increase in the population, with a corresponding increase in the number of patients with a chronic illness or who have complex needs within the community. We must reform the entire health service rather than only parts of it. This process cannot be delayed any longer. The Minister has a responsibility and a duty to deliver health service reform, starting in this Dáil. Delaying reform will only make it far more difficult and costly. There was a common thread in all of the submissions received - that there should be a shift from secondary to primary care services. The reform programme needs to include the entire health service. There is a need for a universal single tier public health service to cover everyone based on need.

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