A Waterford Senator says the health system is broken.
Grace O'Sullivan was at the launch of the Still Waiting Health Campaign - the group is holding its first national protest on the 6th of October ahead of Budget 2019.
It comes as almost one million people are on hospital waiting lists. Campaigners are warning the healthcare crisis can be seen in overcrowding and under-staffing.
The Green Party Senator says she got involved because of the situation around the country but particularly in Waterford. "In June there were over 36,000 people on waiting lists for different services. It's just shocking. We know the CAMHS (Child Adolescent Mental Health Service) is in trouble. We know people who are seeking support with disability services aren't getting them. We know that people seeking home-care help are waiting months and months and in some cases years."
"The system is broken, it's a two tier system, it's unfair."
Senator O'Sullivan says the current system creates inequality. "If you can't afford to pay you don't get the service and it's just not right any more. In 2018 we need better."
She says the government needs to deliver in this budget. "We need to see 24/7 cardiac services for Waterford and proper services to support the whole country."
I’m at the launch of the #standingtogether campaign to tackle #health waiting lists in Ireland. #waterford is facing waits of over 36000, this cannot continue pic.twitter.com/HRZtkSFiL5
— Grace O'Sullivan MEP (@GraceOSllvn) September 13, 2018
