Harris must deliver healthcare we deserve

IT is a matter of deep regret that the health service remains unfit for purpose.

Down through the years, the Irish Daily Mail has repeatedly been forced to highlight the myriad shortcomings and failures in the system. There is a seemingly intractable situation when it comes to patients being left to languish for days on hospital trolleys, not to mention the completely unacceptable waiting times for surgery.

None of this is in any way excusable, particularly given the health service could hardly be described as underfunded. Vast billions of euro are channelled into the system every year, but the reality is the people paying for it all – the taxpayers – are getting a very poor return for their money.

Against that backdrop, it is cold comfort that a new survey suggests 81% of patients believe they were treated in a respectful and dignified manner in emergency departments around the country.

By this newspaper’s reckoning, there were far more significant findings to emerge from the study.

It is quite simply shocking that only 31% of the 13,000-plus people who took part in HIQA’s National Patient Experience Survey had been admitted to an A&E ward within the HSE’s six-hour target time. Even more staggering is the fact that 300 people had to wait more than 48 hours.

Nobody disputes that Simon Harris seems determined to sort out this mess, but there is little sign so far that he is making progress. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Our hospitals are facing into the busiest and most chaotic period in the yearly calendar. Yet we now have a situation where medical consultants are prepared to go on strike in the New Year over two-tier pay structures. Meanwhile, nurses are balloting for industrial action.

It goes without saying that emergency departments operate in difficult circumstances at the best of times. Nor does it need spelling out that winter is certainly not the best of times for anyone to find themselves having to attend hospital, regardless of the circumstances.

There is an onus on Mr Harris and his Cabinet colleague to deliver the sort of service that people are entitled to expect. Equally, though, health professionals have a duty to make sure that patients receive the best possible care.