Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Cullinane, our spokesperson for health, for bringing forward this motion. The bottom line is that local health services are under severe strain and the situation is getting worse. People in my own constituency in Wexford, and particularly in rural areas of the county, are waiting for up to four weeks to get an appointment to see their doctor. That statement alone is shocking. Not alone is it a shocking truth, but it is neglect of the duty of care to our communities and those who require immediate medical attention.

The other area of major concern is the number of doctors retiring. It is reported that up to 25% are to retire within the next five years. This was well known and well flagged. Yet again, there was no advance thinking or planning on the part of this Government. Constituents have come to me in distress and tears because their local GP was retiring and they could not get another doctor to take them on. Medical card holders, many of whom are old age pensioners, are finding it impossible to find a replacement local GP. A growing number of people are contacting my office because they are entitled to a GP card but cannot be issued one because they cannot identify a doctor who will take them on. People's files and medical histories are in danger of being lost in the current failing system. This is a scandal. People are getting sicker. Their health is deteriorating because they cannot get timely access to a basic doctor's appointment while, at the same time, there is a forced ban on recruitment and retention. This makes no sense at all.

We are calling for an increase in the number of undergraduate and postgraduate places and for more places for primary care professionals, including in specialist practice care. The Minister needs to roll out directly-employed GPs, to increase primary care staffing in rural and disadvantaged communities and to review the current GP contracts, which are not fit for purpose. We need to ensure that the Government is supporting general practice, delivering a pharmacy-first model to relieve pressure on GPs, expanding multidisciplinary teams and providing more care in the community in general. The lack of alternative care options for our communities is putting more and more avoidable pressure on our acute hospitals and emergency departments. The Government has had four years to address the ever-growing waiting times for access to GP services but has failed to take every action available to it. I call on every TD, and especially every Wexford TD, to support this motion, which is much needed. I hope the electorate will get a chance to decide who the future Minister for Health will be sooner rather than later.

See this speech in context