Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The future of healthcare in Ireland is at a turning point. Demand is increasing, with a growing, ageing and more sophisticated population. We have an opportunity to create a system that is patient centred, community driven and sustainable. Our focus must be on prevention and accessibility and ensuring that care is delivered where and when people need it most. A strong healthcare system relies on robust primary care and community care. Hospitals play a vital role but they cannot be a default option. We must continue to invest in GPs, primary care centres and home-based care to ensure that treatment is available locally. This would reduce pressure on emergency departments and improve patient outcomes.

Technology is vital for meeting the increased demand that lies ahead. Telemedicine and remote monitoring can improve care, especially in rural areas, by providing medical advice without unnecessary travel. Wearable health devices and digital diagnostics will increasingly help early detection of conditions and monitor existing ones. However, none of this will be possible without investment in our healthcare workforce: GPs; consultants; nurses; allied health professionals and carers. We must improve recruitment and retention by offering better working conditions and career pathways.

Prevention is key. One in four adults and one in five children in Ireland are living with obesity, leading to increased rates of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other chronic conditions. The national strategy must be enhanced to promote healthier lifestyles through education, community initiatives and improved access to affordable, nutritious food. We need simple, visible and transparent food labelling and regulation. We are what we eat.

We must also protect our regional healthcare services. In my constituency, Portiuncula hospital and Roscommon hospital are critical parts of our local healthcare infrastructure, providing a span of accessible services that ensure timely diagnosis and treatment. These services must be maintained and expanded.

There will be increasing use of healthcare data to plan our healthcare services, AI and brain-computer interface devices, and a growth in personalised medicine. However, this will only happen in an ecosystem of innovation, security and human expertise. The future of healthcare is about ensuring that every person, no matter where he or she lives, has access to timely, high-quality care. By investing in community services, embracing technology and prioritising prevention, we can build a system that truly supports longer, healthier lives.

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