Minister James Reilly has approved further cuts of €619m and the reduction of 2,600 jobs in the health service this year.
This is on top of €3bn in cuts and the reduction of 11,000 jobs over the last few years. These cuts have devastated the health service, closed beds, put more people on trolleys and took medical cards from sick and elderly people.
South Tipperary General Hospital will be hit by a further €1.7m in cuts and thousands more will lose their medical cards.
More pressure will be heaped on South Tipperary General Hospital, having already lost ¼ of its budget and upwards of 200 staff over recent years.
Staff at the hospital are working above and beyond the call of duty every hour of every day. The hospital service across the Country is at breaking point.
These cuts must be reversed.
The public are entitled to a quality health service, delivered in modern surroundings and not in “third world” conditions on trolleys in hospital corridors.
Medical Card holders too are bracing themselves for withdrawal of thousands of Medical Cards this year. Sick and elderly people are being targeted by the Government for withdrawal of their Medical Cards.
Persons with severe medical conditions, including Cancer, Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy and Motor Neurone Disease who require on-going medical treatment are having their medical cards withdrawn and refused.
Further cuts to income limits for the over 70’s will see thousands lose their medical cards.
Our health is our wealth. It is time for this Government to call a halt to the onslaught out health service.
Government Politicians in Tipperary especially Ministers of State Alan Kelly and Tom Hayes have particular responsibility to protect our hospitals and our medical card holders.
Seamus Healy T.D.
Deputy Healy appeals to Taoiseach Enda Kenny to “reverse the cuts on compassionate grounds, and if he won’t reverse the cuts on compassionate grounds”, Deputy Healy asked the Taoiseach to “at least reverse the cuts to act to protect the integrity of democratic system by making good the commitments he made in 2008”, and also asked the Taoiseach if he will “now withdraw the elderly cuts from social welfare bill, from the health bill and from finance bill.”
Clonmel Stroke Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month in the Community Centre to the rear of St Oliver’s Church, Clonmel.
For more information contact: Gemma on 087 9129263 or Sandra on 087 1419365.
Clonmel Stroke Support Group
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