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Ahern admits cancer patient was let down
 TAOISEACH
Bertie Ahern has admitted the health system failed a cancer patient who
won massive public sympathy by speaking about her seven-month wait for
treatment to RTÉ Radio’s Joe Duffy show.
Kilkenny woman Susie Long who died aged 40 contacted the Liveline show
in January using the name Rosie.
She said she had been diagnosed with bowel cancer but had difficulties
in accessing proper treatment as a public patient.
The issue was last week raised in the Dáil and Taoiseach Bertie
Ahern admitted Ms Long should have been given prompt treatment regardless
of health insurance.
“The system should have allowed Susie Long to be given a diagnosis
whether she was a public or a private patient,” he said.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny claimed the Government’s health policy
had lost touch with the realities of people’s lives.
He said: “This was very different for Susie Long, for those who
have been waiting for hip operations, for the children or elderly sitting
on hard chairs in accident and emergency units.”
The Taoiseach said the health budget had increased from ?3billion to ?15billion
during his 10-year term.
But Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said: “The Taoiseach looks at the
health service from a different perspective from the people who experience
it.
“The people who have to use the health service see it from the other
end. They see it from a plastic chair in a waiting room.” |
