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Shame on Fianna Fáil for using St. Luke's as political football - McDonald
Published: 7 January, 2008
Responding to Fianna Fáil TD Chris Andrews' plea to the HSE to use St Luke's as a nursing home once its cancer services are transferred to St James's Hospital, Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald has described the remarks as a slap in the face for the community who have been campaigning loudly for the hospital's cancer care services to be maintained and developed.
The Dublin MEP said:
"It is incredibly frustrating to read statements issued by local Fianna
Fáil TDs on public service provision shortcomings as if they were part
of the opposition rather than members of the government actually
responsible for the shortcomings in the first place.
"Representing the HSE as a body outside of the government's
responsibility only adds to this frustration for local communities.
"The lack of step-down beds for older people throughout the country is
indeed a major problem as stated by Deputy Andrews', however it has
become a problem because of the successive failed health policies of his
party during their long reign in government.
"It is reprehensible of the local Fianna Fáil organisation in South
Dublin to firstly ignore the community's demand that St. Luke's
continues as a provider of cancer care services and then to use its own
political failings to appear to champion the needs of the elderly.
"The fact remains that St. Luke's Hospital has an excellent reputation
for its cancer care provision. It is this reputation that made it
possible for the Friends of St. Luke's to raise €22 million for the
hospital.
"Any sensible government with a modicum of sense and compassion
understands that a consistency of care in a fully resourced environment
is critical to cancer patients and their families. St. Luke's Hospital
provides this in spades.
"St. Luke's delivers key cancer care services and should be supported by
the local Fianna Fáil organisation and its elected representatives in
getting on with its work rather than being used as a political
football."
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