Waterford TD calls for support of urgent development of national hospital
Deputy David Cullinane said urgent action is needed on the part of the Government
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, Deputy David Cullinane TD, has welcomed the decision of the Board of the Rotunda Hospital to fully comply with the rules governing public-only contracts and said the Government must now move urgently to support the long-overdue development of the hospital.
Deputy Cullinane said the Rotunda provides vital healthcare to women and families in Dublin’s inner city and beyond, but that progress and development at the hospital has been held back for far too long by Government failure.
“I welcome the decision of the Board of the Rotunda Hospital to fully comply with the rules governing public-only contracts," he said.
"Sinn Féin fully supports removing private care from public hospitals and delivering a single-tier health service based on need, not ability to pay," he added.
He said the Rotunda is a vitally important hospital, providing a high standard of care to women and families in Dublin’s inner city and beyond.
"The priority now must be to deliver the critical care wing, the sexual assault treatment unit and the additional staffing required to strengthen and improve services for all women," he said.
“However, it is clear that development at the Rotunda has been badly held back by Government failure," he added, commenting that "the failed co-location plan" delayed progress at the hospital for more than a decade and left essential developments waiting far too long.
“That delay has had real consequences for patients, staff and services," he said.
"Women using the Rotunda and the staff who care for them, deserve modern facilities, proper capacity and the resources needed to provide the highest standard of care," he added.
Calling for the Government and the Minister for Health to take immediate action on the matter, he said: "They must provide the necessary support and investment to ensure the Rotunda can finally deliver these essential developments and meet the needs of women and families into the future.”
