FG: Dubliners have no faith in health service
Residents in the south west suburbs of Dublin have little confidence in the health service, Fine Gael said today.
A poll carried out by the opposition party found 81% of people though the performance of Health Minister Mary Harney was poor or very poor.
The survey also recorded that 86% responded they were not confident that the health service could fully meet their future health needs.
“The survey highlights the appalling condition of the health service here in Dublin South West,” said local FG Senator and election candidate Brian Hayes.
“After nine years of FF/PD Government, the people of this constituency have no confidence in the ability of those parties to deliver a fair health system.”
Around 400 members of the public throughout the Dublin South West constituency were questioned on the issue during the month of August.
It also recorded:
:: 77% rated the standard of cleanliness in public hospitals as very poor or poor.
:: 46% said they or a family member were on a hospital waiting list for over six months and 14% stated they were waiting more than two years.
:: 44% stated they or a family member were waiting more than six months for an appointment with a consultant/specialist, 13% were waiting for more than a year.
:: 28% claimed that they or a family member were told by their GP to attend A&E for a quick hospital admission and 14% were advised to do that by a consultant.
:: 60% claimed that they knew of a friend or family member or personally spent more than 12 hours on a hospital trolley.
:: 26% claimed that they knew of someone who had contracted MRSA while undergoing treatment.
“Our survey shows that even health professionals, like consultants and doctors, are advising patients to go to A&E as they have a better chance of gaining admission to acute hospital care,” continued Mr Hayes.
“This is an amazing result from the people surveyed.
“Given the public outrage in the decision of the Government to downgrade the National Children’s Hospital in Tallaght, clearly health is a key issue for the upcoming general election in the minds of voters.”
