Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Healthcare is not just about treating illness; it is also about enabling people to live longer, healthier and more independent lives. The future of healthcare must focus not just on hospitals and emergency care, but on prevention, early intervention and community-based supports. We are living longer than ever before but the challenge now is to ensure that these extra years we spend are in good health. That requires a shift in how we think about healthcare. We need to move from a system that primarily reacts to illness to one that actively promotes wellness.

First, prevention must be at the heart of healthcare. Chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer account for the majority of healthcare costs, yet many are preventable with early action. Investment in screening, lifestyle support and mental health services can reduce hospital admissions and improve quality of life. Prevention is not just about medical interventions; it is also about supporting people to make healthier choices in their daily lives. This is why the Government must take a more holistic approach to health, not just stepping in when things go wrong, but actively creating an environment where people can stay healthy in the first place. One example is my proposal to make gym memberships tax deductible. We already recognise the importance of physical activity for mental and physical wellbeing, so why not incentivise it? If we are serious about prevention, we should be treating gyms, sports clubs and exercise facilities as part of the healthcare system, not just as leisure activities. This kind of forward-thinking policy would reduce long-term healthcare costs and help people to live healthier lives.

Second, access to healthcare must be improved, especially in rural areas. No one should be forced to wait months for essential care or to travel long distances for basic services. Telemedicine, community health hubs and better integration between GPs, hospitals and home care services will be key to ensuring that healthcare is accessible when and where people need it.

Third, we need to support those who care for us - our doctors, nurses and healthcare workers. They work under immense pressure and if we want a system that delivers for patients, we must ensure that our healthcare professionals have the resources, staffing and working conditions they deserve.

Fourth, Innovation and technology must be embraced. Advances in artificial intelligence, personalised medicine and digital health records can transform care, making diagnosis faster, treatments more effective and services more efficient.

The goal of healthcare should not be just to add years to life, but life to years. By prioritising prevention, access, workforce support and innovation, we can create a system that does not just treat illness but helps people to thrive. That is the future we must build together.

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