Sinn Féin launches "landmark plan to transform healthcare" – Aoife Masterson

Sinn Féin general election candidate for Offaly, Aoife Masterson has said that Sinn Féin’s landmark plan to deliver healthcare reform would transform healthcare in Offaly.

The party’s spokesperson on Health Deputy David Cullinane recently launched Prescription for Change: Sinn Féin’s Plan to deliver healthcare when you need it.

Launching the plan, Deputy Cullinane said that this was the most extensive and comprehensive health plan ever produced by a political party. He added that the plan would transform healthcare and set Ireland on course for full universal healthcare by 2035.

The plan includes more than 350 policy commitments across more than 60 policy areas spanning the broad range of health issues. It includes 25 key priorities across 10 sections, 5 First 100 Days commitments, and means that Sinn Féin is ready to go from Day 1 to deliver healthcare reform.

Cllr Masterson said: “Sinn Féin’s Plan to deliver healthcare when you need it is the most significant and comprehensive plan to transform healthcare in Ireland that has ever been put together by any political party. It would be transformative for healthcare in Offaly and make a real difference for patients here.

“There will be an election shortly and voters will face a stark choice. This is a choice between the same failures on health that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have overseen. Or a vote to transform the healthcare system by voting for Sinn Féin.

“Sinn Féin have the determination and the detailed policies to deliver change in healthcare. Government have thrown in the towel on health, but we would refuse to accept the status quo and instead deliver the change that is needed.

“Our 120-page plan sets out in detail how Sinn Féin in Government will transform the Irish healthcare system so that everyone will have access to the best quality healthcare when they need it.

“Our plan sets out how we would deliver a public GP contract, a revolution in child and youth mental health, and an extensive health bed plan to deal with scandalous overcrowding and disgraceful waiting lists.

“Our plan will ensure that people can access a GP or a dentist when they need one; end the crisis in our emergency departments; cut waiting lists; deliver the biggest investment in the history of the state in mental health; bring Irish nurses and doctors home; and end wasteful spending.

“Sinn Féin is committed to affordable healthcare. That is why in just 5 years, we would deliver free prescription medicines for all households, and medical cards for those up to the median income. We would set this in law in our first 100 days.

“Sinn Féin is committed to accessible healthcare. That is why we have a plan for 7,400 health beds, bolstering local GP, dental, and health services, expanding home care, and reforming waiting lists.

“You can read the full document on our website at health.sinnfein.ie and I would encourage everyone to look at our plan and consider it.

“Sinn Féin has the ambition, the determination and the plan to transform the healthcare system, so that you and your loved ones can get high quality healthcare, when you need it.”