Without clear health reform plans, we need sustained improvements on access to quality health and social care

From the Irish Independent on 19 December 2015

This week, there were more health headlines, emanating from a frank interview with HSE chief Tony O’Brien, the deferral of the INMO nurses’ strike action in emergency departments and the publication of the HSE 2016 service plan.

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Despite this week’s ‘no-risk Budget’, our health service faces greater threat of cut

From the Irish Independent on 16 October 2015
Government spin doctors must be thrilled with themselves as they listen to the chorus of Budget 2016 being declared as ‘a Budget for everyone’. Even the usually cynical and numerate economic analysts heralded it as ‘a no-risk Budget’.But closer scrutiny of the health budget clearly shows this is not a Budget for everyone and there are huge risks for many citizens due to the choices made.

Next year will be the most difficult yet for health services

From the irish Independent on 14 October 2015

In the opening gambit for Budget 2016, Minister Michael Noonan promised “more doctors and nurses” as “sensible and affordable” measures. Minister Howlin hailed it as “the second budget in succession in which we are able to increase support for our public services”.

Continued slashing of health budget may yet bring down this Government

See below for post-election analysis from Irish Independent on 26 May 2014.

FIFTY-SEVEN per cent of voters cited the removal of discretionary medical cards as the main reason for their fury with the Government last Friday. Anger about medical cards came ahead of water charges and property tax in the RTE exit poll.

Haddington Road savings used to mop up increased demand and cut backs

See here Medical Independent column from 1 May 2014

Consultants excluded from 15% voluntary pay cut….

It was reported in the Irish Times (24 June 2011) that hospital consultants and or their representative bodies lobbied the minister for health, James Reilly, so as not to be included in the 15% voluntary pay waiver announced by Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform on Wednesday last (22 June 2011). This was refuted by both a spokesperson for the Minister of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (known as PER). So why are consultants excluded and who earns what in the public health system?