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A Message from Enda Kenny
For the last ten years the Government’s answer to any problem in the health service was to throw taxpayers’ money at it. Billions were wasted and the health service was never reformed in any fundamental way. As a result, Ireland’s health system is now ranked 24th in Europe in terms of value for money. Even today, as we face the worst economic crisis in this State’s history, the Government is slashing health budgets without introducing any meaningful reform. In mid 2008 I established a Health Commission chaired by our former leader Alan Dukes, to develop a radical and patient focused solution that will give us the Health service that we deserve within a five year time frame. Our approach is built around the patient, rewarding performance from doctors and hospitals, and ensuring that there will no longer be a two tier health system. Fine Gael has looked in particular detail at the Dutch system of UHI as a model for Ireland’s health service. The Netherlands spends only slightly more than us on health on a per capita basis, but has minimal waiting lists and is ranked number 1 in Europe for health. Under Fine Gael’s proposals, we will move towards the Dutch system, where everyone has mandatory private health insurance, either subsidised or fully financed by the State. In its first 30 days in Government, Fine Gael will work with all the major stakeholders in the health service to agree an implementation plan so that the proven Dutch system of UHI is best adapted to Irish circumstances. Our health reform programme represents the most revolutionary change in the Irish health system since its establishment. There will be some who will say that we cannot afford major reforms at a time of recession. To them I say: as budgets come under more pressure we can't afford not to reform our €16 billion a year health system.
A Message from Dr. James Reilly
Over the last 10 years the health service has become a shambles. We regularly have over 350 people on trolleys in A&E, waiting lists that go on for months, outpatient waiting lists that go on for years and cancelled operations across the country. Our health service is a fiasco, getting ever worse under the incompetent management of this Government. So how do we fix this? FairCare will slash waiting lists, for a fraction of the money spent on the NTPF every year. We will then introduce a “money-follows-the-patient” budgeting system so that hospitals are paid for how many patients they treat. Patients will no longer be seen as “costs” to the health service, but as sources of “income”. Finally, we will deliver Universal Health Insurance where every man, woman and child will be insured, some fully subsidised, some partially subsidised by the Government. We will also develop new primary care centres where groups of GPs with other health care professionals will treat patients free out of modern purpose built premises with access to x-ray, ultrasound and endoscopy so that patients can be diagnosed in their communities by the doctors who know them best. In conclusion, I want to welcome you to this site. I hope that you can explore the various aspects of FairCare which I believe will bring three very valuable facets to our health service: transparency, accountability and fairness. Dr. James Reilly TD
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