Sinn Féin says it can reduce hospital waiting lists

Patients will be transferred from hospitals which fail to manage waiting lists to those with better records, under Sinn Féin’s health policy which will be announced today.

The party pledges to increase health spending by nearly a quarter during the lifetime of the next Dáil, if it is in power. Based on a Portuguese model, the new waiting list management system – called “Comhliosta” – will be backed by a €100 million fund, the party says. Medical cards will be awarded on need. A family’s income will not be tested if the medical need of the patient is sufficient.

Other plans are a 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks, and free half-yearly dental visits which include scale and polish, fillings and gum cleaning.