Mulville “disappointed” with private healthcare vote

Social Democrats councillor Paul Mulville has expressed his “disappointment” following a vote taken at yesterday’s local council meeting where a majority of councillors voted to support a motion for another private healthcare facility in Swords.

“This private hospital will only cater for those with private health insurance and will do nothing to improve access to healthcare for more than half the local population,” the councillor for Rush Lusk Ward said following the result of the vote.

“We need to see much better public healthcare provision in North County Dublin, and we must see the implementation of the cross-party Sláintecare plans.

“The County town of Swords, as well as the rapidly growing towns of Donabate and Lusk, need to see the provision of publicly provided Primary Care Centres, in line with the HSE’s vision for our area.”

“I spoke against the motion tabled today to support another private healthcare development in the Airside/ Barrypark area of Swords.

“It was no surprise to see Fine Gael once again supporting private for-profit health care facilities, given the involvement of their former Health Minister James Reilly.

“However, I’m astonished that the Labour Party voted with Fine Gael on this issue; given their claim that they opposed this scheme before last year’s general election.”

“Even as a private hospital, this project is in the wrong location.

“Healthcare should be provided nearer to where people live for ease of access, e.g. walking or public transport.

“As public representatives we need to prioritise public need, not private greed.

“What we actually need is the urgent provision in Swords of a Beaumont Hospital Satellite Outpatient Department, as was recently opened in the Omni Centre, Santry.”