Dear Sir/Madam,
In response to the recent publication of the FF/FG Framework Document we welcome the commitment to expedite the implementation of Sláintecare and the reiteration of the commitment to universal healthcare services. Ireland’s response to COVID-19 has shown the pressing need to deliver a single tier health system and our capacity to create – albeit temporarily for now – a universal health service.
The prioritisation of children’s health and women’s health in the framework document is also a welcome focus and the commitment to ensure that all future consultant contracts in the public system will be for public services helps to build confidence in the way forward.
We hope that a new programme for government will add to the stated values of ‘community and solidarity’ the essential value of equality, so all people can access the right care, at the right time and in the right place without reference to ability to pay. The COVID pandemic has further exposed and exacerbated existing health inequalities in our society, including those disproportionately impacting on minority ethnic groups, including Travellers and Roma, on people who are homeless and people living in overcrowded and unsuitable Direct Provision accommodation. We need to build a health system that can confront inequities and that healthcare system must value all key workers, including home care workers, hospital cleaners and health care assistants, with job security and a fair income.
We are concerned at the absence of older people, and their health and care needs and services in the framework document. The COVID-19-related nursing home crises and the gaps in home care provision show the urgent need to progress commitments to de-congregate settings for older people and people with disabilities through enhanced care resources in the community.
Universal healthcare requires the identification of quality-of-life measures for both individuals and society. We suggest that a dedicated ‘Well-being’ section be developed to bring together the health commitments and elements in other sections of the document on housing, climate action and youth, which are all linked and contribute to our well-being. These elements all require a response that ensures equality of access and equality of outcome for all.
We ask all the political parties and independents engaged in discussions to ensure that there is no going back to the old unequal health care delivery system, for ourselves, our parents, our health care colleagues and our children. This is a once in a generation opportunity to do the right thing. We ask all those involved in forming the next government to engage and let us plan to have the health and care system we deserve.
Signed by:
National Women’s Council of Ireland
221+ CervicalCheck Patient Support Group
Age Action
Age & Opportunity
AkiDwA
Amach LGBT Galway
Barnardos
Care Alliance Ireland
Children’s Rights Alliance
Community Work Ireland
Congress – Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Disability Federation of Ireland
Fórsa
Immigrant Council of Ireland
Irish Association of Social Workers
Irish Heart Foundation
Irish Hospice Foundation
Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA)
Migrant Rights Centre Ireland
MS Ireland
National Traveller Women’s Forum
Northside Home Care Services
Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre
Sage Advocacy
Samaritans Ireland
SIPTU
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP)
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland
Threshold Training Network
Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI)