Health for all
Health for All sets out Sinn Fein's proposals for the creation of an
all-Ireland equitable healthcare system. It deals with a number of broad
areas:
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Preventative healthcare;
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Health promotion and education;
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All-Ireland harmonisation;
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Establishment of a new National Health Service;
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Development of primary healthcare;
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Childrens policy.
Traditionally the debate on health has focused solely on hospitals, doctors
and nurses while ignoring the causes, which if addressed could alleviate
major health problems in our society. However this policy document addresses
the issues of poverty and it's associated problems as well as environmental
issues of water, air quality, food safety, waste management and transport -
all of which are increasingly impacting on our health and quality of life.
We also address the need for a major review of primary healthcare, delivery
of acute services and the inequalities which have been caused by the market
led approach to health.
Sinn Fein is committed to:
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An all-Ireland health service which will harmonise and maximise the use of
resources;
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A new National Health Service which embraces the key principles of
openness, accountability and inclusiveness at all levels of planning and
operation;
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Healthcare free at the point of delivery and funded through general
taxation;
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An increase in healthcare funding to bring Ireland into line with the
European average of 8% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP);
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The eradication of the social, cultural and economic inequalities
(including poverty and disadvantage) which have a direct and detrimental
bearing on public health;
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A comprehensive all-Ireland strategy to tackle poverty;
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Equality of access to quality health and social services ;
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A national public health plan for the provision and resourcing of acute
care;
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Primacy of primary care over hospital care. All medical and social care
services to be designed to give maximum continuity of care and
accessibility to all regardless of geographical location;
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A ministry dedicated to children;
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A Food Safety Implementation Body, separate from the Department of
Agriculture;
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Health proofing of all public policies;
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A community development approach to be adopted in terms of policy and
strategy.
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