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.

Plugging the black hole

Column from Medical Independent on 8 October 2015

When Leo Varadkar took up post as health minister, he prioritised securing an ‘adequate’ budget for health. He did this in the hope that he could break the cycle of over-spending in health. Come early December 2014, the rumours about the extent of the supplementary budget required for health were quashed when a whopping €680 million supplementary budget was announced.

Radio bluff exposes how little Enda knows about health

Opinion from the Irish Independent on 13 September 2014

Enda Kenny gets most of the sound bites right when it comes to government health policy. He repeatedly mentioned “keeping patients at the centre” and the “need to reform” in his interview with Cathal MacCoille on yesterday’s ‘Morning Ireland’.

But the minute the Taoiseach is probed in any detail on health matters, he flounders and his utter lack of understanding is revealed.

Kenny should recognise health service failings are ultimately his responsibility

Opinion in Irish Independent on 11 September 2014

Enda Kenny’s remark that he was not interested in endless volumes of explanations on why things can’t get done is fair comment for the leader of government.

One could reasonably expect, three and half years into office, that good progress would have been made on many of the 87 health commitments made in his own Programme for Government.

Health could make or break Leo

See below for column on how health could make or break Leo Varadkar, from the Irish Independent on 12 July 2014.

It should be no surprise to Leo Varadkar that he is the new Minister for Health, sure Paddy Power had him at the shortest odds for the health post for months.

What Enda Kenny needs from the next health minister

See here my analysis from the Irish Independent on 9 July 2014 – Who ever gets Health portfolio must hit the ground running

Why who is the next health minister actually matters

See below analysis on cabinet reshuffle from Irish Independent on 4 July 2014 – New minister must realise health service can’t take more cuts. 

Pre-election government guff won’t ease medical card issue

See below analysis from Irish Independent, published on 22 May 2014. 

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

See here Medical Independent column from 1 May 2014