Senators:

I made that point lately to the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, and he looked back at me in complete bemusement. It would be a major achievement if we could say that in five years' time the health system in Ireland would be as clean as the food industry, and that we would have in place the same stringent standards in order that a person could go into a hospital and not pick up a fatal bug. The Minister deserves some credit for the hygiene audits but that is only the start of the battle. The question now is to take it a step further to ensure all hospitals are as clean as they should be.

Senators:

In regard to primary care teams, I was disappointed to see the recent resignation of a key person in the HSE. I understand it was due to frustration with some doctors who are not playing ball on the issue. The private sector is moving into this area. I understand they are developing primary care centres. This approach makes sense in so far as all the required services are available in one place, for example, chiropodists, physiotherapists etc. I regret the lack of feedback from doctors on this issue, even though I have been in contact with them on numerous occasions. As far as I can gather they do not tend to make known their views to anybody. The focus should be on the patient at all times. Doctors must remember this. Today and last week in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children the Minister acknowledged the need to increase the number of medical graduates and the number of people opting to study medicine at postgraduate level.

Senators:

People are living longer and the new generation of doctors will not make house calls to the same extent or work the same hours as before. We must prepare for that now. The Minister for Health and Children is correct in referring to a doubling of medical graduates but this is not sufficient. The figure should be trebled. Many doctors are keen to work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. I do not envy any doctor on call who receives a telephone call at midnight from a person with chest pain and who must decide if it is a heart attack or indigestion. We must recognise that doctors are not prepared to work the long hours worked by previous generations.

Senators:

We must examine preventative health care. Many people suggest the Department should be called the Department of disease because we tend to be reactive rather than pro-active. Has the Minister negotiated with the Minister for Education and Science to ensure every secondary school has a physical education hall to allow students to exercise and get fit? We all have a responsibility to care for our health. Can heavy smokers be surprised if they have cancer after smoking for 40 years? As legislators we have an onus to inform the public but the public has a responsibility to lead healthy lives.

Senators:

We must provide community facilities such as swimming pools. The problem is that it takes so long. The Government had to find €1 billion to repay the illegal nursing home charges. It is a pity that sum of money was not put towards community facilities. The Government could find that money when it was forced to do so but if one seeks money for a community hall during an Adjournment debate the reply is that there is no money available. Government thinking must be shifted to encourage the health and well-being of the citizens.