Dear
In response to your questions.
> Why not have multi function local health centres with doctors, nurses,
> X ray, ECG, blood analysis etc. like they do in countries such as Portugal?
There is no reason why we cannot have such centres, in fact many are already in existence such as the VHI swiftcare clinics and Northwood imaging and Santry Sports Clinic here on the North Side all of which offer X-Ray. All other facilities such as ECG, Blood testing, nurses etc can be provided at existing GP surgeries and are offered at surgeries such as my own. The problem is not the availability of services or centres which can offer scans and x-rays. The problem is the improper use of the existing services because roles have not been properly defined, for example much of what goes on in Beaumont could easily be managed in the community and most elderly patients in nursing homes could be treated within the nursing home without having to be transferred to hospitals.
> You also need to let us know your views on the major economic issues: what
> would you do about the massive private bank debts now being forced on the
> taxpayer?
We have no choice but to negotiate with the EU and the IMF as we need their money to survive, however we pay our politicians and many of our civil servants etc almost twice what similar employees are paid in the North. There are only 2 million people working in Ireland and they are expected to pay off 80 billion in debts... It cant work and it wont work. However the first thing we need to do is to have some accountability for the criminal behaviour of banks and a massive reduction in the salaries, pensions and perks of existing and retiring politicians. Once we have a government with some moral credibility we can then begin to negotiate with the unions in the public and the private sector in terms of productivity and wage reform. But we must lead by example and change must begin at the top.
> How would you balance public spending with tax revenues and close the gap
> of $18 billion?
The budget for the department of health was 13.6 billion in 2009, if the health and social welfare systems alone were rationalised we could save several billions. Just look at the insanity of paying millionaires child benefit... or having Consultant surgeons at beaumont hospital taking off toe nails and lancing boils.. once a week... none of this is rational and a rational approach to public spending would save us many billions. Furthermore Ireland has much to offer the rest of the world in terms of the fading beauty of our country and our historical and cultural landscape, there is no shortage of resource for government to develop, the thing that is lacking in our government is some measure of legislative rationality, this is what I would intend to bring to the Dail, in addition to my primary demand for accountability.
Many thanks for your interest in my candidacy
Marcus
(...) The budget for the department of health was 13.6 billion in 2009, if the health and social welfare systems alone were rationalised we could save several billions. Just look at the insanity of paying millionaires child benefit... or having Consultant surgeons at beaumont hospital taking off toe nails and lancing boils.. once a week... none of this is rational and a rational approach to public spending would save us many billions. (...)
