Wednesday, October 25, 2006

SECRETS IN THE HEALTH SERVICE...

NOW that we're back to normal mode again, health as an issue is coming to the fore. There has been a lot of interest in the joint policy document on A&E that I launched with FG recently. Winter is not yet here so we'll have to wait and see if what kind of pressure will be on the A&E departments this year. In my opinion there haven't been any improvements to the extent that we've seen an end to elderly patients on trolleys.

This is the time of year to get the flu jab, and I'd strongly recommend that anyone at risk get it, it's well worth it. Hopefully we won't have the flu epidemic this year - putting extra pressure on our A&E departments.

The culture of secrecy still exists in our health service. We're still waiting for the Leas Cross report to be published - despite the fact that the HSE has had it since May this year. Also, the Minister does have the power to publish this report but has so far not done so.. Parliamentary questions to the HSE take months to get a response - if at all! 10% of question this year have gone unanswered so far...

I believe very strongly that we need a health service people can trust. So, I'll continue asking the questions....

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