Sinn Fein TD for Carlow calls for government to improve waiting times for GP access

Sinn Féin TD Kathleen has called on the Minister for Health to intervene and relieve pressure on local GP and community health services in Carlow Kilkenny.

Teachta Funchion called on the Minister to roll out directly employed GPs and increase primary care staffing in underserved rural and disadvantaged communities. He also called on the government to back a “Pharmacy First” minor ailments scheme to relieve pressure on general practice.4 19th March 2024

Deputy Funchion said that Minister Stephen Donnelly has had four years to act on growing waiting times for access to GP services in Carlow Kilkenny, but that he had failed to take every action available to him.

Her comments were made as Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health David Cullinane brought forward a Dáil motion on this issue.

Teachta Funchion said:

“Health services in Carlow Kilkenny are under pressure and our communities are suffering from a lack of respect for their needs from government. For the last decade, Fine Gael has ignored the growing health needs of local communities, and this government has failed to take every action available to them.

“Sinn Féin is committed to supporting General Practice, directly employing GPs for rural and deprived communities, delivering a Pharmacy First model to relieve pressure from GPs, expanding multi-disciplinary teams, and providing more care in the community in general. A lack of alternative care options in the community is heaping avoidable pressure on acute hospitals and emergency departments.

“Budget 2024 was a disaster for the health service. The people of Carlow Kilkenny deserve better.

“Sinn Féin would bring an urgency to improving the health service and inject pace into the delivery of better local services. We would underpin our plans with strategic workforce planning to ensure a sustainable supply of frontline workers.

“Care can’t wait, and local communities need support. There are several steps which the government could take immediately to better support local GP and community health services. These are laid out in our motion, brought forward by David Cullinane this week. It is time for a government of change that will take the necessary actions.”