Totally agree, all the primary care cuts will have massive implications down the line in the acute hospitals. It’s common sense aside from the human factor of allowing the most challenged in our society suffer the indignity of begging for care they should automatically receive.

This Headline is misleading as there have been no cuts to service in respect of this piece of PR from a charity called the Jack and Jill Foundation. The HSE provides ten hour per week support for this family and continue to do so. The Foundation which is a charity don’t support kids over four years of age.
Clearly there have been no cuts by the HSE to the hours provided but additional care is being asked of the State to replace NGO support. The picture of the child is factual but inflammatory and should never be used in these types of circumstance as consent has not nor could it ever be given.
This is a clear puff piece put out by a charity that is struggling to remain viable due to the drop off in financial support by the general public in a recession. Teachers Unions always use children’s pictures when issuing statements about funding and there is something immoral and unethical about this practice on consent grounds.
Ergo the Journal should change their headline on the story.

Hi Mick,

There is no reference to cuts in the headline? “Little Liam loses nursing care hours on his 4th birthday”

Liam is losing his nursing care hours today. I haven’t mentioned the HSE in either the headline or the excerpt. Both are factually correct and will not be changed.

As for your assumption that the picture was used without consent is COMPLETELY inaccurate. Of course permission was granted by both of Liam’s parents and the photographer. The Halls took the brave decision to make their story public to highlight their state of limbo because the HSE has failed to provide the adequate number of homecare hours to their family.

Have you read the story? I ask because I can only assume you read the headline, saw the picture and skipped to the comments section? There are quotes from Liam’s mother Áine who has issued a direct appeal to the Minister for Health, asking for the HSE’s assistance as Liam now falls under its remit but because of budgetary constraints has not yet been allocated flexible or additional hours.

I also take issue with your description of this article as a “puff piece”. I’m pretty sure there is nothing light about the Hall’s current situation.

Thanks,
Sinead

@Sinead have read most of Micks comments if you are negative towards the government his normal response is to berate and accuse you of being an idiot.Clarifying something for someone with blinkers on is pointless.

I think the headline should be changed slightly but only because calling the subject ‘Little Liam’ is editorialising the story and giving a sympathetic bias before we’ve read the actual text and formed an opinion.

…the Hall family have made a direct appeal……over disability cuts……
I read the story and the byline rather than the Headline and didn’t miss anything. It’s my understanding that this piece comes from the Press or Communications people at the Jack and Jill Foundation. Furthermore the Issue about consent is that the use of a childs photograph to tart up a press release is somewhat repugnant to me as a minor cannot consent and the parents shouldn’t be asked or allowed either.
When we see public demonstrations in our cities and children are placed out front with placards provided by Unions or Organisations I believe most reasonable adults find it disturbing. When the child used for such purposes has a disability it’s even worse.
I stand by my view on the suggestion of cuts to Service and the misuse of children.

@Mick are you just deluded or are you what you frequently call others an “Idiot”.It was shown to you where you were wrong,but you won’t accept that and then haven’t the cop on to respond to Sinead directly.Christ but FG are scrapping the bottom of the barrell for defenders aren’t they.

Sorry to be pedantic but the accusation of a puff piece was in respect of the PR by Jack and Jill.
If people are concerned they can make financial contributions to the organisation to allow their work to continue for children over four years of age.

The main thing Creamy is that the bondholders are looked after…everything else to the sword…spineless Inda must take care of the bondholders. We should keep this kind of article in mind when they come slithering to our front doors looking for votes….

Sorry for you loss heike
May she rest in peace .

….however the story is written or portrayed…it doesn’t matter.

Truth doesn’t matter
Facts don’t matter
Honesty doesn’t matter ..integrity doesn’t matter ..lies don’t matter.

As long as we get what we want we will get it any way we can is what you’re saying. While the HSE is battling overspend with ill conceived ideas because the real cuts have to come in salaries it’s ok for NGOs to push for a larger slice of the cake that doesn’t exist any more. Lies heaped upon lies until people are dizzy trying to understand any of it. While all of that is going on there are devious people playing on people’s fears for their own political gain and so the game goes on and on and on.!

You speak about Truth, Facts, Honesty and Integrity. Can you give me an example of the last time anyone in government has acted using any of these traits. In case you don’t know, the Jack and Jill Foundation was started by Mr Irwin after he and his wife had a child who was totally dependent on full nursing care and were advised by the consultant in the hospital to go home and leave their baby behind because if they took him home, they would not get the supports they needed and the stress and strain would cause difficulties in the m arraige, damage the other children and deplete the family finances. The Irwins were lucky enough to be in a financial position to pay for their own home care nurse and took their baby home as part of their family until he sadly passed away. They then decided to set up this charity to help other families in this situation who could not afford to pay for the support themselves. The Government knows that the Jack and Jill Foundation will not abandon families and I believe sadly that this is one of the reasons they refuse to provide any extra support to replace what the Jack and Jill Foundation has been doing. I worked with a number of families for years who used the services of the Jack and Jill foundation and even with it life can be very difficult for these families never mind what it would be like without it. I have worked in health services in this country for many years and believe you me there are many many ways money could be saved without cutting frontline services but the will is not there to do it. The government dont care about these vulnerable children or their families but they should because if this continues all of these children will end up in full time residential care, and their families will break down under stress and strain and in the long term will cost the government a lot more money. When is somebody in power going to realise that if you do not address these difficult issues and provide excellent primary healthcare and family supports, the costs in the long term both financial and societal end up being so much more expensive to the coffers of the state.

Mick give it over when you’re wrong that’s it your just wrong.But i do not agree that you’re a tosser!

Mick, I am a nurse. I’m interested to know exactly what you think I should be paid ? Really interested to know what you think I should be paid on Christmas day or 4 in the morning to take care of you or yours if you need care. Oh , and by the way , my pay is already down 30%. Funny how people never compare our wages to what our colleagues in the States earn, where they are valued as a profession and paid appropriately .