Chairman of the Roscommon Hospital Action Committee, John McDermott, has been confirmed as the group’s candidate for the forthcoming General Election in the Roscommon-South Leitrim constituency.
The community worker decided to run after failing to obtain reassurance on the future of Roscommon Hospital from local party candidates.
“I had looked for commitments from all the candidates on the future of the hospital and didn’t get any from the main parties.
“We got a commitment from Fine Gael to retain existing services if they are in government, but James O’Reilly would not agree to replace the crucial theatre staff required to maintain A&E. We are looking for a review of staffing to ensure we meet HIQA and HSE standards, but could get no commitment.”
However, Mr McDermott, who worked with Roscommon VEC for 25 years and currently works as a self-employed facilitator with community programmes, would like to reassure voters that he is not a one-issue candidate. He argues that health is a national issue rather than a local issue.
“It is time for change and we need political reform. If elected I would hold public meetings throughout the consitituency and be answerable to the people who elected me. For example, why can’t we divert social welfare payments and make them into a grant for employers to employ someone? Unemployed people are a resource and they want to work, so why not give them the opportunity to supply the service needed and train them for the jobs that need to be done?”
Mr McDermott says he plans to work in partnership with the people and to respond to community needs.
“Things like taxation and health policies have an impact on people. There have been protests in every county in Ireland about hospitals, particularly the transfer of emergency services - they are protests against policies.”
