Health

It is imperative for the people of this region that services are maintained and enhanced at both Roscommon and Portiuncula hospitals. There is no clear evidence that reducing services will save the country a single cent.  In fact there is much evidence that if the services are removed then this region would face terminal economic decline.  For a start the direct employment of 960 people would be lost the area.

Looking at the bigger picture the health service provided to citizens must be based on their needs rather than their ability to pay. Both the Canadian and Dutch systems are proven models of healthcare which deliver exceptional care allied with good value for money.  If they can do there then we can do it here.

However whatever model of health care we follow, it will be unsustainable unless we reduce the ludicrously high salaries of consultants and health care managers.  Also a sharpened focus must be given to a ‘prevention is better than cure’ strategy.

Mental Health has always been the poor relation of the health service.  It is under resourced and over reliant on medication to deal with societies most in need people.

Ireland must put in place an independent commission to look at the possible negative health effects of EMF radiation from all devices which emit such frequencies from all devices which emit such frequencies.