Martin Daly: Calls for community-led, tech-driven healthcare
Martin Daly outlined priorities for the future of healthcare in Ireland, arguing for a patient-centred, community-driven and sustainable system. He urged investment in primary and community care, technology such as telemedicine and remote monitoring, and stronger workforce recruitment while emphasising prevention to tackle obesity.
He said hospitals play a vital role but should not be the default option. He called for continued investment in GPs, primary care centres and home-based care to reduce pressure on emergency departments and improve patient outcomes.
He highlighted telemedicine and remote monitoring, wearable health devices and digital diagnostics as tools to improve access, particularly in rural areas. He also referenced AI, brain-computer interface devices and personalised medicine, saying these require an ecosystem of innovation, security and human expertise.
He argued that none of the proposed changes will be possible without investment in the healthcare workforce. He named GPs, consultants, nurses, allied health professionals and carers and called for better working conditions and career pathways to boost recruitment and retention.
He stressed prevention as a priority, citing that one in four adults and one in five children in Ireland are living with obesity and linking this to diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other chronic conditions. He urged an enhanced national strategy including education, community initiatives, improved access to affordable nutritious food and simple, visible, transparent food labelling and regulation.
He said that in his constituency Portioncla Hospital and Roscommon Hospital are critical parts of local healthcare infrastructure and called for the expansion of their services to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.
Primary and community care
He said hospitals play a vital role but should not be the default option. He called for continued investment in GPs, primary care centres and home-based care to reduce pressure on emergency departments and improve patient outcomes.
Technology and data
He highlighted telemedicine and remote monitoring, wearable health devices and digital diagnostics as tools to improve access, particularly in rural areas. He also referenced AI, brain-computer interface devices and personalised medicine, saying these require an ecosystem of innovation, security and human expertise.
Workforce and recruitment
He argued that none of the proposed changes will be possible without investment in the healthcare workforce. He named GPs, consultants, nurses, allied health professionals and carers and called for better working conditions and career pathways to boost recruitment and retention.
Prevention and obesity
He stressed prevention as a priority, citing that one in four adults and one in five children in Ireland are living with obesity and linking this to diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other chronic conditions. He urged an enhanced national strategy including education, community initiatives, improved access to affordable nutritious food and simple, visible, transparent food labelling and regulation.
Regional hospitals and services
He said that in his constituency Portioncla Hospital and Roscommon Hospital are critical parts of local healthcare infrastructure and called for the expansion of their services to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.
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Transcript
Thank you Cahirla. The future of healthcare in Ireland is at a turning point. Demand is increasing with a growing ageing and more sophisticated population. We have an opportunity to create a system that is patient-centred, community-driven and sustainable. Our focus must be on prevention, accessibility and ensuring care is delivered where and when people need it most. A strong healthcare system relies on robust primary care and community care. Hospitals play a vital role, but they cannot be a default option. We must continue to invest in GP and primary care services, primary care centres, home-based care to ensure treatment is available locally, reducing pressure on emergency departments and improving patient outcomes. Technology is vital to meet the increased demand that lies ahead. Telemedicine and remote monitoring can improve care, especially in rural areas, by providing medical advice without unnecessary travel. Wearable health devices and digital diagnostics will increasingly help early detection of conditions and monitor existing ones. However, none of this will be possible without investment in our healthcare workforce, GPs, consultants, nurses, allied health professionals and carers. We must improve recruitment and retention by offering better working conditions and career pathways. Prevention is key. One in four adults and one in five children in Ireland are living with obesity, leading to increased rates of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other chronic conditions. The national strategy must be enhanced to promote healthier lifestyles through education, community initiatives and improved access to affordable, nutritious food. We need simple, visible, transparent food. We need simple, visible, transparent food labelling and regulation. We are what we eat. We also must protect our regional healthcare services. In my own constituency, Portioncla Hospital and Roscommon Hospital are critical parts of our local healthcare infrastructure and providing a span of accessible services, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment. These services must be expanded and expanded. There will be increasing use of healthcare data to plan our healthcare services, AI and brain-computer interface devices and a growth in personalised medicine. However, it will only happen in an ecosystem of innovation, security and human expertise. The future of healthcare is about ensuring that every person, no matter where they live, has access to timely, high-quality care. By investing in community services, embracing technology and prioritising prevention, we can build a system that truly supports longer, healthier lives. theomme of child emergency services, independent agencies, and many samples. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. President. Thank you, Mr. Mayor King. Not just to be a number of questions, please. Thank you, Mrs. Mayor. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm good. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And we are here. Thank you. Thank you. Really, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Thank you. much. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Ng Dr. Reb. Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, sir.