IMO responds to poll showing health number one election issue

The IMO has responded to a new poll, which shows that health is the most important issue for voters in the election.

The Irish Times / Ipsos MRBI poll, which was published on 21 January, shows 40 per cent of voters see health as most important issue.

Dr Padraig McGarry, President of the IMO, said that the poll backed up the IMO’s call for the new Government to urgently implement solutions to solve the crisis in our health system, including: 2,000 new hospital beds in the first two years of Government; a new consultant contract and an urgent increase in consultant numbers; and accelerated resourcing of GP services to support our sickest and poorest patients.

Dr McGarry said: “Politicians are quick to make unrealistic promises during election campaigns, but the IMO urges all political parties to focus on the real issues at hand rather than engaging in empty electioneering. Today’s poll shows how important it is that the crisis in our health system is addressed. We need real solutions for the sake of our patients.”