Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendment. Senator Crown has spoken very persuasively based on his renowned expertise in his field. If there are symptoms of cancer, diabetes about which one hears a lot, and circulatory diseases or abnormalities such as HIV which were mentioned by Senator Crown, I would hope the professional in this case would not just tell the patient he or she needs a new pair of glasses but that he or she needs further attention because some of these conditions are serious. Otherwise, a diagnosis that should have taken place will be delayed and the condition will get worse. We are talking about overcrowding in accident and emergency departments and crowds of people in GPs' offices waiting to see a health service professional. We are actually engaged in the transaction. It would be most valuable if a professional could just tell a patient that he or she needed to attend to this as well. It would keep a person in the system because I do not know if these conditions can cure themselves. Senator Crown is the expert on that but if the conditions are pre-existing and we can get persons on to the next stage and get them back to full health, why would we turn down this amendment?