Chiefs driving Sláintecare’s plan to end two-tier health services resign, blow to government

The government’s pledge to end the two-tier healthcare system, which had put hundreds of thousands of public patients on waiting lists, has taken a heavy blow following the resignation of the top leader and president as the head of the government. the countryside.

aura Magahy, executive director of Sláintecare, the blueprint for the future of the health service has resigned.

Sláintecare chairman Tom Keane, the Irish doctor based in Canada and credited with overhauling cancer services has also resigned.

It comes at a crucial time as health services face an uphill battle to cope with the huge increase in waiting lists in the wake of the pandemic.

Almost a million public patients are on a waiting list.

A key goal of the plan – developed by an all-stakeholder committee – was to end the two-tier system that allows deprived patients to queue.

At the heart of this, a new contract of € 250,000 for hospital consultants obliging them to treat only public patients without private practice.

Talks are currently underway between doctors’ organizations and health officials with strong opposition from doctors.

The Health Ministry said today that it thanked Ms Magahy for her commitment and dedication to implementing the Sláintecare reform program since her appointment in 2018.

“The government would also like to thank Dr Tom Keane, outgoing chair of the Sláintecare Implementation Advisory Board (SIAC) for his significant contribution to the Sláintecare reform agenda since his appointment to a three-year term as chair in 2018, ”he said. in a report.

The ministry said Sláintecare’s vision is to achieve a one-tier universal health and social care system, where everyone has equitable access to services based on need and not ability to pay.

“Over the past three years, significant progress has been made in realizing this vision, including the introduction of a new GP contract, the creation of the HSE board of directors and an agreed unprecedented investment of $ 1.235 billion. ‘euros in the 2021 budget for specific Sláintecare initiatives, “It said.

“This funding increases the capacity of acute and community care beds, providing improved care in the community, including access to diagnostics, additional home supports, streamlining of care pathways and reduction of patient lists. waiting.

The Ministry of Health added: “As our health service emerges from the crisis presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, the government is more committed than ever to the implementation of the Sláintecare reform program. It is essential that we build on the innovation we have witnessed in our healthcare services over the past 18 months to improve healthcare experiences and outcomes for Irish people.