Dr. Leo Varadkar rejoins the health service

aido79 · 05-04-2020 10:44pm

There really is some bitter begrudgers in this country.

Baseball72 · 05-04-2020 10:44pm

Doc Martin first, then rotates to Dr Leo.....seems fair to me

anewme · 05-04-2020 10:48pm

statesaver wrote: »

Never waste a good PR opportunity, well played FG, well played.

It's the OP who is exploiting PR for thanks, not Leo.

The Bishop Basher · 05-04-2020 10:50pm

The levels of gullibility around this issue are difficult to fathom.

We need Leo to be a Taoiseach right now, not manning a phone line.

The optics of this were obviously to good to pass up for Leo’s PR team and it appears to have worked given many of the responses on here but I don’t understand how the leader of our country can give up 1 full working day every week to man a phone line, while were in the middle of a national and global crisis.

The only way it makes sense is if it’s just a PR stunt.

Snow Garden · 05-04-2020 10:52pm

The Bishop Basher wrote: »

The levels of gullibility around this issue are difficult to fathom.

FG have always patronised the electorate in a childlike way and many of them fell for it. They wont be able to see through this stunt.

slavetothegrind · 05-04-2020 10:52pm

The Bishop Basher wrote: »

The only way it makes sense is if it’s just a PR stunt.

Or if we have a national shortage of doctors. We are crying out for them, lots of politicians around.

s1ippy · 05-04-2020 10:52pm

slavetothegrind wrote: »

Ah for fecks sake will you lot cop on.
It's a serious situation and we need doctors badly.
If he relieves one frontline medic for 8 hours every week great! I can't do that, can you?
Put your politics and prejudice aside and support your country as many have from all partys
I didn't vote for Leo but i sure am glad he is doing what he can now.

Bleating on about your incredible hindsight or forward vision is bull**** as you were never under the cosh to decide.
If you really believe that FG is making hay here and that's all they are about well then you are right and we are fouked or just maybe they are doing their best for their families and ours.

He's going to be doing contract tracing, it says it in every article.

Darc19 · 05-04-2020 10:54pm

rdwight wrote: »

And Dessie Elllis could go back to...let's not go there.

Don't want to be morbid, but there is a high demand for graves to be dug.

theoneeyedman · 05-04-2020 10:54pm

The Bishop Basher wrote: »

The levels of gullibility around this issue are difficult to fathom.

We need Leo to be a Taoiseach right now, not manning a phone line.

The optics of this were obviously to good to pass up for Leo’s PR team and it appears to have worked given many of the responses on here but I don’t understand how the leader of our country can give up 1 full working day every week to man a phone line, while were in the middle of a national and global crisis.

The only way it makes sense is if it’s just a PR stunt.

This.
PR Stunt.
End of thread.

Snow Garden · 05-04-2020 10:55pm

The Bishop Basher wrote: »

The levels of gullibility around this issue are difficult to fathom.

https://www.thejournal.ie/trolley-scandal-hse-how-they-do-it-massaging-3177983-Jan2017/

Senior hospital staff have said that patients in some of Ireland’s 52 hospitals are being moved to different wards at specific times of the day so they can avoid the INMO’s Trolley Watch figures, which are published daily, making it appear that hospitals are dealing better with the overcrowding crisis than they are.

Some patients, according to frontline workers, are brought for scans and other diagnostic tests during the time where INMO nurses would usually conduct the count.

TheJournal.ie can also reveal that late last year when Health Minister Simon Harris was visiting the new endscopy unit at Cork University Hospital, a number of patients were moved from trolleys into the theatre recovery room.

“This was done to give the impression that there was nobody on trolleys. They were moved like jigsaw pieces”, one member of staff at CUH told TheJournal.ie.

A similar incident is alleged to have happened during Leo Varadkar’s tenure as Health Minister. This time the accusations concerned Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Louth.

Staff said patients were moved into a new modular unit, which was being unveiled by the then Minister in reaction to the overcrowding crisis at the hospital.

major bill · 05-04-2020 10:55pm

No fan of Leo but he has shown better leadership skills in dealing with Covid-19 than that other eejet across the water and I think the countries quick reaction in implementing measure to stop the spread of this virus will save lives! This may well be a PR stunt and I’d prefer if media didn’t say he was “front line” as he will be answering phones once a week but **** it I say Fairplay! Nobody has to vote for Fine Gael when this all ends but think he has done a decent job in all of this!

Kermit.de.frog · 05-04-2020 10:55pm

aido79 wrote: »

There really is some bitter begrudgers in this country.

Nail on the head

Snow Garden · 05-04-2020 10:56pm

I know for a fact that this happened. What did Leo do?

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/hospital-denies-hiding-patients-on-trolleys-for-taoiseach-s-visit-1.3463702

Saolta University Health Care Group has denied that patients on trolleys in University Hospital Galway’s emergency department were “hidden” for the visit of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last week.

According to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), there were 42 patients on trolleys on Tuesday, 58 on Wednesday, but just 26 on Thursday for Mr Varadkar’s visit. The figure rose again to 36 on Friday.

Independent TD Catherine Connolly, who was at the hospital on Thursday, said it was “a miracle” that the numbers dropped for Mr Varadkar’s visit.

“I walked through the hospital on Thursday, and I noticed that it was quiet,” she told RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. “I got calls then afterwards, to tell me that it was all a pretence, that there were patients there but that they had been hidden.

To be fair this happened when Cowen was Taoiseach too. But it is always ignored.

Larbre34 · 05-04-2020 10:57pm

I don't begrudge it to him. I admire any person signing up to apply their professional skills in this effort.

I do however think that *nothing* should distract from running the Country at this point or from forming a committed new Government with the strong potential to last the next 5 years.

When Leo Varadkar is no longer Acting Head of Government of this State, and presuming he doesn't get a new cabinet position that precludes it, then he can do what he likes and I'll wish him well doing it.

Kermit.de.frog · 05-04-2020 11:00pm

The shinner bots are out this evening.

touts · 05-04-2020 11:03pm

He qualified as a GP two years after he was elected to the Dail and never actually practiced. At least one of the jobs wasn't being done properly. After 10+ years in politics I doubt his skill set has gotten any better. At this point his medical qualifications are one step removed from an honorary doctorate. No way I would want to be treated by him.

He is the leader of the country. Generals don't fight in the Frontline anymore neither should he. Maybe he should sit in on the next call with the Chinese PPE supplier rather than posing for the inevitable photo op of him wearing the stuff.

s1ippy · 05-04-2020 11:03pm

Whelo79 wrote: »

He's answering the phones? Are they looking for more people to do that? I'm not medically qualified but hold an MSc quaification.

If I was allowed I would no problem, and i would be neither looking for or expecting a pat on the back for ding it. Surely a script of questions to ask and steps to take dependent on the callers answer is all it takes??

Yep, that's the long and short of it. There are plenty contact tracers as many other employees in the HSE have been redeployed. Incredibly poor use of time as far as the caretaker Taoiseach is concerned. Doesn't even have a mandate and he's double-jobbing.

And no, I don't have a solution but neither apparently does the glorious leader of some of you and he's the one with the power to enact change. How he'll do that while speaking to individuals on the phone about their contract with confirmed cases, your guess is as good as mine. But if he thinks that's the best use of his time would he not just eff off and let somebody else do the job of leading the country. I actually don't give a sh!t who at this stage.

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

The shinner bots are out this evening.

If that old chestnut is your only recourse, you'll never change your tune. It's the most transparent PR crap I've ever seen. I don't have any preference for Sinn Féin. In fact, right now I'm erring just becoming fully anarchist and ignoring the pillars of society from the comfort of my home until this blows over and then starting to negotiate with whoever is left in society. I'm bunkered down for the long haul.

Enjoy watching your party suffocate and die like all the people they've condemned to a similar fate, drowning on their own sputum on a cot in the corner of the absolutely teeming hospital.

Why anyone would keep beating that drum you have is a complete mystery to me. Normally I don't directly respond to people who spout the "Shinnerbot" nonsense but I thought you were a rational enough person because of your impressively early contributions to the original Covid threads. I'm flabbergasted that you support this rubbish.

smurgen · 05-04-2020 11:03pm

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Nail on the head

After liking a post taking the piss out of SF TD’s I think you lose the right to winge about begrudger and politicising this. Well done on retaining the moral high ground for approximately 2 hours.

Kermit.de.frog · 05-04-2020 11:05pm

smurgen wrote: »

After liking a post taking the piss out of SF TD’s I think you lose the right to winge about begrudger and politicising this. Well done on retaining the moral high ground for approximately 2 hours.

Could you imagine the disaster we would be in if SF were in govt?

It does not bare thinking about.

anewme · 05-04-2020 11:07pm

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

The shinner bots are out this evening.

The OP sums up why people dont trust FG though. It's very much do as I say not as I do. If he is FG supporter, it does not give much credibility.

Someone who had to be physically stopped going to Northetn Italy, but going to Cheltenham and probably infecting half the Country, he is a poor poster boy.

suicide_circus · 05-04-2020 11:07pm

KiKi III wrote: »

Sometimes an idea is both a PR opportunity and the right thing to do. This is one of those times.

this in a nutshell.

all about the mane · 05-04-2020 11:07pm

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

The shinner bots are out this evening.

Leo has really triggered them tonight. And their fish wife still hiding under the duvet with a head cold.
She’s only sulking now that her crawling to FG/FF didn’t work.

anewme · 05-04-2020 11:07pm

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

The shinner bots are out this evening.

The OP sums up why people dont trust FG though. It's very much do as I say not as I do. If he is FG supporter, it does not give much credibility.

Someone who had to be physically stopped going to Northern Italy, but boasting going to Cheltenham despite concerns and probably infecting half the Country, he is a poor poster boy and posting for thanks.

It was a huge mistake to let those reckless Cheltenham people back in. The fact that one of them (OP) is now pontificating about leadership is an insult to any of us with family members impacted by this horrible virus.

CrabRevolution · 05-04-2020 11:08pm

Considering how insistent they were on referring to Ian Paisley as "Dr." on foot of an honorary degree, I'm curious why Unionists up North don't always refer to "Dr. Varadkar"....

bunderoon · 05-04-2020 11:08pm

aido79 wrote: »

There really is some bitter begrudgers in this country.

Who are the bitter begrudgers?

BanditLuke · 05-04-2020 11:09pm

A shameful publicity stunt that many will fall for unfortunately. Varadkar is one cute fecker though so fair play to him.

Eric Cartman · 05-04-2020 11:09pm

Im not a Leo fan at all, I think he's taken FG far too left and is more concerned with twitter likes than good economic policy, but my christ if he actually sticks to this and its not just a 1 and done photo op , then fair play, a serious commitment from him and absolutely something I'd like to see more where getting re-elected isn't a politicians only skill.

MonkieSocks · 05-04-2020 11:10pm

The Bishop Basher wrote: »

The levels of gullibility around this issue are difficult to fathom.

We need Leo to be a Taoiseach right now, not manning a phone line.

The optics of this were obviously to good to pass up for Leo’s PR team and it appears to have worked given many of the responses on here but I don’t understand how the leader of our country can give up 1 full working day every week to man a phone line, while were in the middle of a national and global crisis.

The only way it makes sense is if it’s just a PR stunt.

Exactly, and he was a **** minister of health

05-04-2020 11:12pm

It's the most upvoted news story on Reddit world news at the moment.

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In the era of 'so shocking it's no longer shocking' news headlines featuring your Trumps, Bolsonaros and Dutertes, it's refreshing to see this kind of news whether it's from one of our own or not.

Eric Cartman · 05-04-2020 11:14pm

MonkieSocks wrote: »

Exactly, and he was a **** minister of health

whens the last time we had a good one ?
its the poison chalice.

VonLuck · 05-04-2020 11:14pm

The Bishop Basher wrote: »

The levels of gullibility around this issue are difficult to fathom.

We need Leo to be a Taoiseach right now, not manning a phone line.

The optics of this were obviously to good to pass up for Leo’s PR team and it appears to have worked given many of the responses on here but I don’t understand how the leader of our country can give up 1 full working day every week to man a phone line, while were in the middle of a national and global crisis.

The only way it makes sense is if it’s just a PR stunt.

Obviously it's optics, everything in politics is,but how is it actually hurting anyone? He's literally helping others!

Good to see a bit of positivity in the news that our elected officials are doing all they can to help, even if it's for PR. Will no doubt improve overall morale of people working in the health care system.

You'd have to be some miserable bastard to make this out to be a bad thing.

The Bishop Basher · 05-04-2020 11:14pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

In the era of 'so shocking it's no longer shocking' news headlines featuring your Trumps, Bolsonaros and Dutertes, it's refreshing to see this kind of news whether it's from one of our own or not.

It’s only refreshing if you’re fooled by it.

Whelo79 · 05-04-2020 11:16pm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Im not a Leo fan at all, I think he's taken FG far too left and is more concerned with twitter likes than good economic policy, but my christ if he actually sticks to this and its not just a 1 and done photo op , then fair play, a serious commitment from him and absolutely something I'd like to see more where getting re-elected isn't a politicians only skill.

He's sitting in a room answering phones. You or I could do that?

05-04-2020 11:16pm

KiKi III wrote: »

Sometimes an idea is both a PR opportunity and the right thing to do. This is one of those times.

This.

jim salter · 05-04-2020 11:16pm

Ferm001 wrote: »

Fair play to him, but plays a bit as a publicity stunt.

Bigger risk is him becoming infected, and taking half the government into isolation.

What risk????

Unless COVID-19 is transferrable over the phone he is at no risk at all. He's performing over-the-phone screening, although him taking out the rest of the government would be welcomed.

Larbre34 · 05-04-2020 11:16pm

touts wrote: »

He qualified as a GP two years after he was elected to the Dail and never actually practiced. At least one of the jobs wasn't being done properly. After 10+ years in politics I doubt his skill set has gotten any better. At this point his medical qualifications are one step removed from an honorary doctorate. No way I would want to be treated by him.

He is the leader of the country. Generals don't fight in the Frontline anymore neither should he. Maybe he should sit in on the next call with the Chinese PPE supplier rather than posing for the inevitable photo op of him wearing the stuff.

There is no mention of him volunteering in general practice. It is being reported that he has offered to work for the HSE in areas within the scope of his practice.

That could be any number of disciplines he may have worked in while a hospital doctor, emergency, general surgery, geriatrics, pediatrics etc or it could be as relief for other hospital doctors or simply manning a phoneline for the ill or anxious.

In fact, I think whatever role he is doing should not raise any risk of him getting the virus.

The Bishop Basher · 05-04-2020 11:17pm

VonLuck wrote: »

You'd have to be some miserable bastard to make this out to be a bad thing.

Im a miserable bastard who would like us to have a full time Taoiseach.

If Leo wants to help out as a doctor I would applaud him for it but he should do one or the other.

Larbre34 · 05-04-2020 11:19pm

jim salter wrote: »

What risk????

Unless COVID-19 is transferrable over the phone he is at no risk at all. He's performing over-the-phone screening, although him taking out the rest of the government would be welcomed.

Speak for yourself, you small minded oaf.

I don't agree with him doing it, but I'm not being like you about it.

Kermit.de.frog · 05-04-2020 11:19pm

jim salter wrote: »

What risk????

Unless COVID-19 is transferrable over the phone he is at no risk at all. He's performing over-the-phone screening, although him taking out the rest of the government would be welcomed.

Lovely. Hope none of your loved ones meet a bad fate with the virus.

Klonker · 05-04-2020 11:20pm

Fair dues to him. He probably thought it would be hypocritical of him to ask former front line staff to return and for him to not put his own shoulder to the wheel.

Balmed Out · 05-04-2020 11:23pm

BanditLuke wrote: »

A shameful publicity stunt that many will fall for unfortunately. Varadkar is one cute fecker though so fair play to him.

Ok I know most politics related threads are full of posters so entrenched with whatever political party that there is no reasoning (goes for die hard supporters of fg, ff, sf etc ).
However imagine you are Leo and want a good publicity stunt, would you
a) man a telephone for one day a week - you have the necessary qualifications and experience and can be of use.
b) Turn up in a hazmat suit regularly in covid hubs or ICU wards perhaps even do it once a week.

I think any publicity stunt would be going with b all day long. Ive not read most posts tonight or spent too long on twitter but plenty taking the piss that hes only answering a phone.

s1ippy · 05-04-2020 11:24pm

Klonker wrote: »

Fair dues to him. He probably thought it would be hypocritical of him to ask former front line staff to return and for him to not put his own shoulder to the wheel.

Concannon told him to do it and he figured "yeah my self-satisfaction rating will go through the roof. I'll probably be upvoted on Reddit until it's the top world news story. And I'll just be doing contract tracing in my office, it's completely risk-free!"

Larbre34 · 05-04-2020 11:25pm

His colleagues and the mandarian wouldn't let him even consider doing B, so its not relevant.

Darc19 · 05-04-2020 11:26pm

touts wrote: »

He qualified as a GP two years after he was elected to the Dail and never actually practiced. At least one of the jobs wasn't being done properly. After 10+ years in politics I doubt his skill set has gotten any better. At this point his medical qualifications are one step removed from an honorary doctorate. No way I would want to be treated by him.

.

I suggest you should read what he's doing before commenting.

It would ensure that you don't write stupidity

smurgen · 05-04-2020 11:26pm

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Could you imagine the disaster we would be in if SF were in govt?

It does not bare thinking about.

Yes they would have taken hard decisions like stopping flights from Northern Italy and closing nursing homes to visitors unlike FG who are now scrambling to contain the situation after moving too late. Closing the gate after the horse has bolted has lead to massive clusters related to these two bad decisions alone.

Etc · 05-04-2020 11:28pm

smurgen wrote: »

Yes they would have taken hard decisions like stopping flights from Northern Italy and closing nursing homes to visitors unlike FG who are now scrambling to contain the situation after moving too late. Closing the gate after the horse has bolted has lead to massive clusters related to these two bad decisions alone.

Course they would..........

s1ippy · 05-04-2020 11:29pm

Balmed Out wrote: »

Ok I know most politics related threads are full of posters so entrenched with whatever political party that there is no reasoning (goes for die hard supporters of fg, ff, sf etc ).
However imagine you are Leo and want a good publicity stunt, would you
a) man a telephone for one day a week - you have the necessary qualifications and experience and can be of use.
b) Turn up in a hazmat suit regularly in covid hubs or ICU wards perhaps even do it once a week.

I think any publicity stunt would be going with b all day long. Ive not read most posts tonight or spent too long on twitter but plenty taking the piss that hes only answering a phone.

Are you kidding me.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/coronavirus-varadkar-returns-to-practising-medicine-to-help-during-crisis-1.4221463?mode=amp

"It is understood the Taoiseach is helping out in phone assessments. Anyone who may have been exposed to Covid-19 is initially assessed over the phone rather than in person, to curb the spread of the virus."

What a waste of time and PPE putting him into any sort of protective gear. He hasn't practiced medicine in over a decade and he never spent time working in a hospital in any meaningful way when he was a registered doctor.

I swear, do you have functioning logical faculties.

thomasdylan · 05-04-2020 11:31pm

s1ippy wrote: »

Are you kidding me.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/coronavirus-varadkar-returns-to-practising-medicine-to-help-during-crisis-1.4221463?mode=amp

"It is understood the Taoiseach is helping out in phone assessments. Anyone who may have been exposed to Covid-19 is initially assessed over the phone rather than in person, to curb the spread of the virus."

What a waste of time and PPE putting him into any sort of protective gear. He hasn't practiced medicine in over a decade and he never spent time working in a hospital in any meaningful way when he was a registered doctor.

I swear, do you have functioning logical faculties.

He spent 4 years working in hospitals.

IAMAMORON · 05-04-2020 11:32pm

Your damned if you do ………………….

Kermit.de.frog · 05-04-2020 11:33pm

smurgen wrote: »

Yes they would have taken hard decisions like stopping flights from Northern Italy and closing nursing homes to visitors unlike FG who are now scrambling to contain the situation after moving too late. Closing the gate after the horse has bolted has lead to massive clusters related to these two bad decisions alone.

They closed nursing homes at the very start. I know this myself through family so that's bull crap. They closed before anything else.

Banning flights in to an island carries unforeseen risks which you seem to be suggesting shinners would rush in to.

This is the problem with people who can't lead.

You have to balance the pros and cons of every decision.

SF couldn't run a corner shop. Everyone knows it, even shinners!

Dr. Leo Varadkar rejoins the health service

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