Future directions in health policy: speech by the Minister for Health, Mr Barry Desmond T.D. at the Council for Social Welfare Conference, The Grand Hotel, Malahide, Friday April 6th, 1984.

摘要

PrioritiesudThere are many questions which must be asked about the futureuddirection of our health services. As Minister for Health I would like to haveudthe resources to meet all the needs which I know exist for health andudwelfare services but it is my unfortunate lot to have a smaller purse thanudthe demands made upon it. Choice is always difficult, but it is moreudpainful during times of recession and poor economic growth. There isudan urgent need that as a society, we should be clear about priorities forudpublic expenditure on the health services. In deciding these priorities weudmust be continually aware of the danger that the demand for highudpowered, sophisticated services for the acutely ill will reduce resourcesudfor what have been described as "cinderella" services for the chronicallyudill, disabled and the deprived.