We heard from Obstetricians reflecting on the absence of fertility treatments for public patients, the lack of access to contraceptive care or unequal access to abortion services. #universalhealthcare

One NCHD reflected on a patient who she referred urgently for specialist care, only to see the same patient two years later (in the middle of a 48-month waiting list). All the time their suffering increasing. #universalhealthcare

We heard about the terrible impact of the National Treatment Purchase Fund on public healthcare services, meaning younger surgeons remain untrained, with complex patients having to be re-referred back from private hospitals, eroding continuity of care.

It is heartbreaking working in a system that lets people down. >800,000 people in Ireland are on waiting lists. I like many other doctors want better than this for our patients. I hope this lovely man I saw 4 years ago has finally gotten the care he deserves Doctors for Universal Healthcare

This is one reason why we need Universal Healthcare in Ireland. Implementing #slaintecare is one way to achieve this Doctors for Universal Healthcare. Parents feel abandoned over lack of health services rte.ie/news/ireland/2… via RTÉ

Ireland is unique, not offering public fertility treatments for women & couples. Costs for GP component of care & large costs for private fertility care, which is increasingly corporatised, documented below. This should be offered in a public healthcare system. #doctorsforuhc

Doctors want to work in a fairer healthcare system, but healthcare workers need to be treated fairly too. If the first 10 years of a doctor’s experience is a sleep-deprived battle of attrition, we won’t have the staff to provide #universalhealthcare. UHC means #standingup4NCHDs.

This is a very positive move from @DonnellyStephen. The cost of accessing healthcare is prohibitive for so many patients & families. Hospitals, GPs, primary care. But… lots more to do. #doctorsforuhc #universalhealthcare

Progress towards #universalhealthcare in #Budget2023 🔹 6-7 year olds to get Doctor Visit Cards 🔹 400,000 suffering from the cost of living crisis to get DVCs (though not wider primary access through GMS cards…) 🔹 Contraception care increased up to those who are 30.

Our policy of continually outsourcing hospital waiting lists to the private sector ultimately produces the opposite of what is intended. After 20 years of growing reliance on the National Treatment Purchase Fund, waiting lists are longer than ever. (1/2) irishtimes.com/opinion/letter…

The way to break the cycle is by investing massively in public system capacity & more importantly by clarifying our shared values around healthcare. We remain the only nation in Western Europe without universal healthcare. The status quo will not change until we change it. (2/2)

Universal DVCs for Under 8s Up to 400,000 getting access to GPs Extension contraception scheme to Under 45s Hypertension programme for patients Steps towards #UHC, addressing cost of living challenges, aligning with #slaintecare & crucially agreed with the IMO. More of this.

Implementing universal healthcare for patients in Ireland, resourcing health system capacity in our communities & hospitals, improving morale & retention. All this can be done, with sufficient political will. We can make #uhc happen.

Supporting GPs to survive & thrive is crucial if we are to boost capacity & advance towards #UHC. #Under8 #DVC is a really positive development. No parent should have to pay when their child is sick. And this policy will support practices financially.

It’s progress….but in European terms we’re still way short of the mark All Primary Care should be effectively available to all citizens and nowhere should cost be a barrier to essential services Irish Medical Times NewstalkFM gmcrotty.bsky.social illona duffy #Europe RCGP Republic of Ireland Faculty 🇮🇪 Jean Callanan

Are you a registered medical professional and interested in #UniversalHeathcare #UHC? Please come to our online meeting this Wednesday (13th November) at 6pm. See details below!

Here's an article I wrote about the health system

Here’s Domhnall McGlacken-Byrne on #universalprimarycare in Ireland. @DoctorsForChoice thelancet.com/journals/lanep…