The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) has developed a manifesto in consultation with its Faculties and Institutes to inform future health policies to be adopted by a new Government after the next General Election. The manifesto has been issued to all political parties and President, Dr Diarmuid O’Shea, is leading these discussions on behalf of RCPI.
In its manifesto, RCPI is calling on all political parties to focus on priorities that safeguard public health, empower medical education and training and healthcare delivery, and improve patient care.
RCPI and its Faculties and Institutes in recent years have brought attention to issues such as health inequalities, vaping, smoking, and climate and health through development of position papers, educational events for doctors and other healthcare professionals and public engagement events. The College is also a member of Irish alliances of health sector organisations including the Alcohol Health Alliance, Health Promotion Alliance, the Tobacco 21 Alliance and the Climate and Health Alliance.
This Manifesto outlines the following priority areas:
- Increase capacity and resourcing in both community and hospital settings.
- Prioritise and promote the prevention of illness for a healthier, greener society.
- Introduce public health legislation to reduce harms from tobacco, vaping and alcohol.
- Review Healthy Ireland Framework and commitment to policy response to address structural and socioeconomic drivers of chronic disease and ill-health.
- Support and fund cross-sectoral actions to tackle root causes of ill-health and health inequalities.
- Examine how health is influenced by corporate entities and how vested interests are handles in health policymaking.
Read the full recommendations and action points in our Manifesto (PDF, 748 KB).