People from the Northern Sound region are encouraged to have their say on the future of cross-border healthcare in a new Ireland.
A panelled discussion will take place in Enniskillen tomorrow for those who are interested in a conversation about the healthcare needs of border and rural communities.
Organised by Fermanagh – South Tyrone MP Pat Cullen, the panel will be made up of Fr Brian D’Arcy; Chief Executive of the Irish Community Action on Alcohol Network, Paula Leonard; and author and former newspaper editor Denzil McDaniel.
The guest speaker on the night will be Leader of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald.
Pat Cullen MP is a former nurse and General Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
She said the response to the Enniskillen event has been overwhelmingly positive.
Speaking to Northern Sound, the Sinn Fein MP said: "People are really wanting to engage in the conversation and give their views of what an all-Ireland health service should deliver for them. They also want to know what the challenges would be with moving towards an all-Ireland health service.
"Sinn Fein have been very clear of the principles around an all-Ireland health service. It has to be a public health facing service that is free at the point of need, building on the good parts of what the NHS has delivered and the HSE. It's not about taking two systems that have many faults and flaws and stitching them together, it's about looking at what works north and south and building then on what is best practice and the best clinical evidence on a world wide and international basis.
"There is a growing conversation within society around the benefits of delivering healthcare on an all-island basis. An all-Ireland national health system would be more sustainable and ensure that everyone on this island can access the best services available. Healthcare which is free at the point of delivery, based on clinical need and not the ability to pay is a Sinn Féin priority. The Irish government needs to begin preparing for this."
The event will take place at the Westville Hotel, Enniskillen, tomorrow at 7pm.
