Government dragging feet on universal healthcare, says Sherlock

Labour TD and health spokesperson Marie Sherlock has questioned the government’s commitment to implementing universal healthcare.

New data from the ERSI shows that recent governments have failed to properly address the distribution of primary health care across Ireland, and this inbalance is having a negative effect on those living in mor eeconomically deprived areas.

Per Sherlock, this issue could be tackled if the government showed true commitment to spend more on healthcare and embrace the universal model, instead of the current mix of public and private elements in the healthcare sector.

The Dublin Central TD said, “investment in our primary care system is desperately needed to address the huge gaps that exist in health outcomes in the Ireland of 2025.”

“The ESRI’s data highlights how health inequalities have been exacerbated post-Covid. Half a decade on from the crisis of the pandemic, we must see a shift in how we approach the provision of care,” she said.

“I would welcome the opportunity to delve into the data with the authors of the report through the Oireachtas health committee. The nature of the two-tier health service in Ireland must be addressed with the support of all members of the Oireachtas.”

The Labour TD said “unfortunately, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail continue to baulk at their previous commitments to expand free GP care and we are seeing the effects of major under-investment in community healthcare with a large shortage of PHN’s across the country.”

“We know that a quarter of the population delay GP visits due to costs, with the RCSI publishing research in March of this year showing that those with chronic conditions forego parts of a basic acceptable standard, or part of the medication, due to the high costs.

“Despite being one of the richest countries in Europe, Ireland is the only European country without universal coverage of primary healthcare. It doesn’t have to be this way.”

In April, Sherlock called the Irish healthcare system “convoluted” and that is too much interference from private elements within the healthcare sector.