Why do we over-complicate things? Why do we ignore the solution to a problem when that solution is centimetres from our nose? Maybe because we fear the simple version of things, maybe because we fear to hear the answer that’d come back to us.
Take Sláintecare, the commendable efforts by the south to build a state-wide, freely available health service. In recent days, two of the top people leading the development of Sláintecare – Prof Tom Keane and Laura Magahy, and more recently Prof Anthony O’Connor, who’s a member of the Sláintecare implementation Advisory Council – all three have resigned their posts. Dr O’Connor wouldn’t say why he had resigned. Prof Tom Keane and Laura Magahy have been similarly tight-lipped. The Sláintecare Implementation Advisory Council issued a statement:
“News of their resignations is a cause of shock, regret and concern to us and and we are actively seeking answers from the Department and the Minister regarding the events that led up to and resulted in their resignation.”
Why couldn’t they say what they think is the reason for the resignations? Are they afraid they’ll be seen as …what? Stick-in-the-muds? Whistle-blowers? Back-stabbers?
Mercifully, in this morning’s Irish Times, Kathy Sheridan has come up with the obvious reason for the resignations. She cites Dr Eddie Molloy, who claims he doesn’t know why these people resigned, but claims that the council met resistance from the Department of Health, “some of it pretty brutal.” He also speaks of people who would lose power and budgets if Sláintecare’s plans to deliver their service in regions was implemented.
Come on, guys. Spit it out. Who’s blocking maybe the single most important development the state could engage in: the state-wide provision of a health system as good as or better than the NHS? We’re talking here about tending to the sick and the dying. Take your courage in your hands and let the Irish people know the identity of these people who would rather have ill-health and even death in the south’s population than give their support to Sláintecare.
Looking after the health of all the citizens of the south is a duty. Were it established and made work properly, northern unionists would have to find a new excuse for their refusal to countenance a border poll and Irish reunification.
Or is that part of the reason for the brutal opposition?
Comments are closed.