Ireland is sick man of Europe

NEWS that up to one million people may be languishing on hospital waiting lists is a damning indictment of Fine Gael’s neglect of the health service.

Instead of accepting the Irish Patients Association’s findings, Leo Varadkar claimed “we are moving in the right direction”.

While it appears the Government is oblivious to the growing numbers, each one is an individual who must wait and worry for months or even years before they receive treatment.

Statistics show Ireland is rock bottom for waiting lists compared to our EU neighbours.

The shocking truth is even if Health Minister Simon Harris did miraculously manage to reduce the backlog to a maximum of 18 months, our’s would still be the longest waiting times of 36 European countries.

While ministers may boast about the health of our economy they should hang their heads in shame over the well-being of the people.

Even more depressing is it is generally accepted the situation is not about to improve.

Fine Gael must accept responsibility for this dire situation which will undoubtedly lead to loss of lives and untold misery.

The party was responsible for closing wards and forcing thousands of nurses out of the system– this is the root cause of the crisis.

Unless this situation is treated as a national emergency – then patients will continue to suffer and many will pay with their lives for the neglect of others.