Mattie McGrath Slams Health System Over Hospital Closures
Mattie McGrath spoke in a Dáil debate on 21 June 2022, sharply criticising recent health service decisions, including hospital closures and Covid-era resource reallocations. He accused the Minister for Health and other ministers of ineptitude and argued that bureaucracy and the HTC have damaged patient care and local services.
Allegations of mismanagement
The deputy alleged that ministers allowed hospitals to be closed or repurposed during Covid, specifically citing a hospital in Calgary being shut and resources diverted, leaving local communities without services.
Local services and staff disruption
He warned that closures of facilities named in the debate, including Nina, Sir John’s and Innes, pushed patients into Limerick and described the result as a catastrophe. He also highlighted repeated relocations of district and community nurses in his area, saying staff were moved away for fear they might form closer ties with patients.
Critique of the HTC and bureaucracy
McGrath said the HTC were "out of control," relaying that former teachers had told him they planned to disband the HTC and accusing layers of bureaucracy of being "missing in action." He accused health decision-makers of not respecting patients, elected representatives or frontline staff.
Concerns over the children’s hospital and costs
He raised concerns about the children’s hospital project, stating its cost had gone over £2 billion and expressing frustration that ministers would leave after securing pensions while the public bear the consequences.
Political accountability and constitutional duty
The deputy warned ministers they would face voters at the ballot box and reminded them that under the constitution they are elected to represent the people, not conglomerates. He closed by urging greater accountability for health management decisions.
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I too want to come to the motion here tonight and to say that it's unfortunate that I've seen Monaghan, we've seen Innes, we've seen Nina and we've seen it all and ministers stand by as if you're a bystander is that way as all you're missing is the snuff to make the Queen to con and Minister Butler you allowed a wonderful hospital in Calgary to be closed in the middle of Covid, in the middle of Covid, to second it for Covid and you allowed it to be closed and denied your own people of your own area but you'll have to deal with them in the ballot box. Minister Donnelly, I don't know what to say to you, I always said that Minister Harris was the worst minister ever and he would go down in history but by God you'll surpass them by the hour, that's what you're doing, Minister for Health and Inept. The HTC are out of control, former teacher Heron and former teacher Brian Cowan told me that they were going to disband the HTC and none of you have the gumption to do it because they're totally out of control and you might as well be rubbing, as I said, vastly into you know where and a sow to as the are where they hate to see. They don't care about you, they don't respect you, they don't respect the patients, they don't respect the elected representatives. Today the district nurses, the community nurses who do a fabulous job in my area, this is the second time now in three years where all moved around again, moved away from the areas for fear they might get to know the people or for fear there might be any impity between them. It's just like adding of good honest, good and hard work and then you have all the people that the layers and layers of bureaucracy who are missing in action. And we see what's happening when he closed Nina and Sir John's and Innes and it pushed all the people into Limerick. A catastrophe. And also what's happened in the children's hospital. I spoke to John and everyone today when I wish them well it's the 81st birthday. A campaigner for sick children and to see what's happened in the children's hospital. It can't be seen on the children's hospital. It can't be seen on the children's hospital. It can't be seen on the ground even and it's gone on and it's gone over £2 billion now but you'll rub your hands and leave and you'll get your pensions. And to hell with the people. Can I remind you that under the constitution you're elected to represent the people, not be conglomerates. Thank you. Thank you.
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