Outside Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24
Peter Fitzpatrick, a patient representative on the National Clinical Advisory Group, is standing as Independent candidate in Dublin South West constitutency.
And putting his money (above) where his mouth is.
Peter writes:
Mismanagement and short term policy making over the last twenty years has led us to a point where our Health services are in a permanent state of crisis and can no longer safely treat the population.
I am using my limited resources to take a simple message to the streets of Dublin South West, it’s time to put Health above regular party politics.
All the party manifestos have now been published – 8 parties, 8 different directions on Health.
….All of these shifts in policy are hugely counterproductive. We are going back on ourselves, literally in circles – we need to come together on this, Health is too important.No single party has the answers. We need one plan, across the parties with the input of those that work in the service. Doctors and Nurses are struggling to hold the system together while one Minister works to reverse the policy of another.
One National Strategy, above party politics, to be implemented regardless of whatever Government is in power.Unless we get that, we will never make any real progress.
FIGHT!
I’d almost move to Tallaght just to vote for him. He’s very easy on the eye. Someone vote for him, so I can see him in colour on Oireachtas Report!!!!! Be still my beating … heart.
I bet you never thought it’d be me, but yeah, I’ll do it.
I’m in DSW.
I’ll give him me number wan, just fer you.
You say he’s good-looking…I believe you. I’ll take your word for it.
Not that it might ever matter a jot, but sure isn’t that what number twos are for?
PS
I’m even better-looking than him. I can usually be found halfway between this poster and the nearest bus-stop with my dog. My dog is better-looking than me.
As a doctor, I believe you have what is know as “colour blindness”. Also, you where hit with the ugly stick.
You can pay my secretary in reception.
When I see an state organisation where you have to be careful what you say because someone is someone else’s relative, the issue is not middle nor upper management but unions and nepotism.
The Social Democrats are right to a point. Ask the clinicians what they want. But also, strip away a culture where a HR manager can openly contravene employment law by stating that his/her/ son/ daughter starts next week. This is happening right now… and it is wrong.
Yeah, health, fine, whatever. But what about lowering USC? What about me?
All fine and dandy but what is Peter’s plan for our health system? I’m an undecided voter in his constituency.
Sell it off to O’Brien.
Will he let us buy it back at a higher price? I’m having that.
somebody should explain to this fellow how things work around here
I think Peters plan is that we plan together carefully without elections, votes, party politics and bickering in mind. Because up to now we’ve been doing and undoing, going on solo runs and not bringing together the best of everyone’s vision. It has to begin with the belief that together we can get it right. After that we embrace every good idea and achieve consensus. Ireland has the capacity to have a proper functioning health service but no one party has all the answers. What has happened up to now is changes of policy and direction with every new administration. It’s refreshing to see someone with the confidence to call for a new direction which gives health the importance that it deserves. Why do we always say it’s can’t be done, it’ll always be the same… if all parties and stake holders join to form a consensus group bringing together the best of knowledge, experience and vision, that would be truly politics working at its best. Let’s be optimistic for a change and put our differences aside. If we don’t the next govt will implement their plan alone and that then will probably be all undone by the government after that. Leaving us where we are now with no clear idea about what is best and continually arguing about why the health service let’s do many people down and which party’s fault it is.