Dr. Leo Varadkar rejoins the health service

MintyMagnum · 06-04-2020 8:42am

Will he be referred to / addressed as An Taoiseach Dr Leo Varadker from now on?

Field east · 06-04-2020 8:44am

KiKi III wrote: »

Isn't he doing that too?

Well he can’t go racing or eating out in expensive restaurants, cutting ribbons to launch a new company or programme, talk to old ladies on the street, attend Sports events- especially GAA matches and with a CAMERAMAN/REPORTER along , so he has to do something so why not do something connected to his professional training.
Of course no other leader would NOT DREAM ever of exploiting what they do, inside or outside of politics, for publicity , PR or photo opportunity reasons . It would be the furtherest thing from their minds.

Sober Crappy Chemis · 06-04-2020 8:45am

Personally, I wouldn't want anyone else in charge of the country at this time. Kudos to Leo, Simon et al.

Edgware · 06-04-2020 8:52am

Nitrogan wrote: »

She's a "Good Republican" though that's what's important

like her friends Thomas "Slab" Murphy, Pease McAuley, Nessan Quinlivan..etc.

A few weeks in isolation topping up with Jaffa Cakes will prepare her well for another four years in opposition

LiquidZeb · 06-04-2020 8:54am

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

I was told many years ago by someone close to me that Leo wasn't a nice guy. They were helping his party handing out flyers and other random stuff. The word "bollocks" was used

So am sure this is solely done to help his political career as opposed to it satisfying his need to "help"

A likely story yep. I feel like this is a modern version of 'my uncle works at Nintendo'. Utter nonsense

06-04-2020 8:54am

Runaways wrote: »

If it’s not a publicity stunt he should forgo the (inevitable) photo op

But you know he won’t

Concannon strikes again.

It’s a publicity stunt.

It’s a hell of a publicity stunt.

At time of medical crisis, qualified but non practicing Doctor re-joins Hospital to treat patients, and considering medical staff are most at risk, put himself in danger.

I didn’t vote for him, I will the next time.

Field east · 06-04-2020 8:54am

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

I was told many years ago by someone close to me that Leo wasn't a nice guy. They were helping his party handing out flyers and other random stuff. The word "bollocks" was used

So am sure this is solely done to help his political career as opposed to it satisfying his need to "help"

“One case makes bad law “ comes to mind. I had an uncle once that a close neighbour of mine said to me that he was very mean and stingy -so not a nice man. But the same man could not do enough for his sisters and brothers and the local and national community with the giving of his time way way beyond the call to duty.
It’s so so so dangerous to extrapolate from one or a very small number of cases. Anyway , you have put your opinion out there in the hope that it will get legs or what? I would be interested to know why you posted what what you said GIVEN THETIMESTHAT WE ARE IN

all about the mane · 06-04-2020 8:55am

B.A._Baracus wrote: »

I was told many years ago by someone close to me that Leo wasn't a nice guy. They were helping his party handing out flyers and other random stuff. The word "bollocks" was used

So am sure this is solely done to help his political career as opposed to it satisfying his need to "help"

Well with that kind of concrete evidence we may as well close the thread :rolleyes:

LiquidZeb · 06-04-2020 8:56am

Runaways wrote: »

If it’s not a publicity stunt he should forgo the (inevitable) photo op

But you know he won’t

Concannon strikes again.

It’s a publicity stunt.

What's your great contribution to all this? Just wipe the dribble off your chin and watch more Netflix like a good boy.

Runaways · 06-04-2020 9:00am

LiquidZeb wrote: »

What's your great contribution to all this? Just wipe the dribble off your chin and watch more Netflix like a good boy.

A 2 post wonder.

Tell us again how FG arent employing finnerbots?

DeanAustin · 06-04-2020 9:01am

Of course there's an element of PR to this. Fair play to him but I'm sure he's happy with the publicity too.

I find it intriguing how the majority of people talk about how great Leo, FG and Holohan are doing as if they are doing something above and beyond what's expected of them. They're doing well but they're doing their jobs not something superhuman.

Personally, I'd vote Leo for Taoiseach because I think he's the best candidate for it. I thought it before the election. Anyone changing their opinion on his suitability for Taoiseach over this needs a serious look in the mirror. Once this passes, all the reasons you didn't vote for him last time will still be there.

06-04-2020 9:04am

Runaways wrote: »

A 2 post wonder.

Tell us again how FG arent employing finnerbots?

Whatever your political viewpoint, a Doctor responding to pleading for all able professionals to return to the health service, should be beyond reproach.

Doctors and nurses coming from Australia are being hailed as answering the call when their country needs them.

KCross · 06-04-2020 9:05am

The Bishop Basher wrote: »

It’s contact tracing and I’m guessing the tired and over worked person who would have to train him in for that one shift might not be all that thankful.

I applaud everyone who has genuinely gone back into medical roles to help out those on the front line but that’s not what’s happening here.

It can’t be just contact tracing. If it was he wouldn’t be putting himself back on the medical register.

Contact tracing can be done by anyone.

My understanding is that he will be acting as a GP for screening and referring. That’s not a job that any of us can do from a script.

B.A._Baracus · 06-04-2020 9:06am

LiquidZeb wrote: »

A likely story yep. I feel like this is a modern version of 'my uncle works at Nintendo'. Utter nonsense

That's funny. I've said it many times over the years on boards.
But, this is what I hate about people... See I am just saying how I have a family member who helped him out years ago and leo came off as a b*llocks. This is going back to 2009-2010 too.

But people like liquidzeb give themselves much more intelligence that what they have. They say "you're not fooling me" etc etc. Then clap for fish towards Leo like a seal. ... "Oh he's amazing... He's being a doctor again! We love you leo" rabble rabble rather than realising it's just some bs PR thing.

But because Leo is the man on the talking box durrrrr he must be good man :pac:

Runaways · 06-04-2020 9:06am

DeanAustin wrote: »

Of course there's an element of PR to this. Fair play to him but I'm sure he's happy with the publicity too.

I find it intriguing how the majority of people talk about how great Leo, FG and Holohan are doing as if they are doing something above and beyond what's expected of them. They're doing well but they're doing their jobs not something superhuman.

Personally, I'd vote Leo for Taoiseach because I think he's the best candidate for it. I thought it before the election. Anyone changing their opinion on his suitability for Taoiseach over this needs a serious look in the mirror. Once this passes, all the reasons you didn't vote for him last time will still be there.

He was against abortion stuck his finger in the air felt the wind blowing the other way then he was for abortion.
He was against marriage equality and gays being able to adopt, stuck his finger in the air felt the wind blowing the other way then he was all for it.

But the most appalling bit of all conveniently comes out as gay live on radio just months before that referendum.

He’s the worst kind of slimy opportunistic charlatan. Anyone falling for it needs to have a word with themselves.

This stunt is right within his wheelhouse.

06-04-2020 9:07am

DeanAustin wrote: »

Of course there's an element of PR to this. Fair play to him but I'm sure he's happy with the publicity too.

I find it intriguing how the majority of people talk about how great Leo, FG and Holohan are doing as if they are doing something above and beyond what's expected of them. They're doing well but they're doing their jobs not something superhuman.
.

Not just doing their job, but doing it well. He/they have not had one missed step, compare that to Bojo and Sideshow Don.

Runaways · 06-04-2020 9:08am

KCross wrote: »

It can’t be just contact tracing. If it was he wouldn’t be putting himself back on the medical register.

Contact tracing can be done by anyone.

My understanding is that he will be acting as a GP for screening and referring. That’s not a job that any of us can do from a script.

It actually is something anyone can do.
The people manning the hotline you call aren’t doctors. They ask you a list of predetermined questions about your symptoms and contact and it’s out into an algorithm.
Depending on the answers a doctor then calls you back.

So yes. Anyone can do it.

Field east · 06-04-2020 9:11am

no.8 wrote: »

So in other words B.A, you know sweet f**k all about him first hand. Zero evidence.

I'm not happy about the Irish political system or our overall party options, however, however, during this emergency i believe that leaders in power have stood up and dealt with this emergency as best we could have hoped for (following the initial missed opportunity to lock the virus out via a shutdown).

Fair play to Leo, he is demonstrating leadership and boosting morale, which is badly needed for the most part.
What are most of us doing? Probably nothing

Some people are of the opinion that we should have locked down earlier. What seems to be an issue re lockdown is the duration of it . As human beings we could all act differently if the lockdown is for a long period as a long lockdown could defeat the purpose of it. If we locked down , say, a month before we did we could be now be getting very itchy feet and at a time when the virus is reaching its most virulent/zenith. They say in America that some states would physically revolt against a lockdown - loss of freedom and all that. Whereas the Danes and the Swedes are very compliant and would be more acceptable of a long lockdown
IMO I think that we got our lockdown timing substantially right.

is_that_so · 06-04-2020 9:15am

Runaways wrote: »

It actually is something anyone can do.
The people manning the hotline you call aren’t doctors. They ask you a list of predetermined questions about your symptoms and contact and it’s out into an algorithm.
Depending on the answers a doctor then calls you back.

So yes. Anyone can do it.

You might actually want to read the algorithm before you claim to know anything about it.

https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/algorithms/

Runaways · 06-04-2020 9:16am

is_that_so wrote: »

You might actually want to read the algorithm before you claim to know anything about it.

https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/algorithms/

I dunno that’s just how the lady I spoke to explained it when I had to call them. She went to lengths to assure me she wasn’t a doctor too.

is_that_so · 06-04-2020 9:17am

Field east wrote: »

Some people are of the opinion that we should have locked down earlier. What seems to be an issue re lockdown is the duration of it . As human beings we could all act differently if the lockdown is for a long period as a long lockdown could defeat the purpose of it. If we locked down , say, a month before we did we could be now be getting very itchy feet and at a time when the virus is reaching its most virulent/zenith. They say in America that some states would physically revolt against a lockdown - loss of freedom and all that. Whereas the Danes and the Swedes are very compliant and would be more acceptable of a long lockdown
IMO I think that we got our lockdown timing substantially right.

All along the CMO talked about proportional responses at the right time. The challenge of a lockdown were highlighted from the very outset.

Runaways · 06-04-2020 9:23am

is_that_so wrote: »

All along the CMO talked about proportional responses at the right time. The challenge of a lockdown were highlighted from the very outset.

Well there is that nursing home that had 200 staff and 70 tested positive and 4 residents died so fast. And the staff saying they still don’t have PPE and others saying they’re not allowed use the PPE.
think that might land back in Tony’s lap but god knows we should get through this first before going after him.

ThunbergsAreGo · 06-04-2020 9:23am

DeanAustin wrote: »

Of course there's an element of PR to this. Fair play to him but I'm sure he's happy with the publicity too.

I find it intriguing how the majority of people talk about how great Leo, FG and Holohan are doing as if they are doing something above and beyond what's expected of them. They're doing well but they're doing their jobs not something superhuman.

Personally, I'd vote Leo for Taoiseach because I think he's the best candidate for it. I thought it before the election. Anyone changing their opinion on his suitability for Taoiseach over this needs a serious look in the mirror. Once this passes, all the reasons you didn't vote for him last time will still be there.

Yeah, I wasn't a fan pre election at all. But seeing him in the debates vs the other candidates and thought he was by far the most suitable (again an opinion).

Think they have handled this well, but most parties that listened to advice would have.

is_that_so · 06-04-2020 9:25am

Runaways wrote: »

Well there is that nursing home that had 200 staff and 70 tested positive and 4 residents died so fast. And the staff saying they still don’t have PPE and others saying they’re not allowed use the PPE.
think that might land back in Tony’s lap but god knows we should get through this first before going after him.

He's not in charge of nursing homes and some of them were not doing things properly in the first place.

s7ryf3925pivug · 06-04-2020 9:27am

Great stuff. Leading from the front. The effect on morale will be much greater than the physical contribution. Like Churchill watching the bombers from his roof or George V staying in Buckingham Palace while the bombs were being dropped.

His speeches have been excellent too. One of them was also reminiscent of Churchill.

It's hard to judge the policies that have been put in place to deal with this in the immediate term. I think it would have been better to have acted sooner, but this is not a dictatorship so that might not have worked. They have done a good job of getting people in general to support restrictions that might have been met with hostility if imposed sooner or approached differently.

All that said, the HSE was not in good shape coming into this, and that makes things much more precarious than they needed to be. I think we have about half of the number of intensive care beds per capital as Italy, so it will be much easier for us to fall into that state where the health service is overwhelmed and not everyone can be treated. Incidentally, there are hospitals in the UK already getting to that point.

Danzy · 06-04-2020 9:31am

He is leading from the front and people get reassurance from that.

That's more important than micro managing everything.

The plan is in place, a team is running it. A few hours of his time isnt going to affect it but the public will take great reassurance from it.

Runaways · 06-04-2020 9:35am

is_that_so wrote: »

He's not in charge of nursing homes and some of them were not doing things properly in the first place.

They’re mostly private enterprises aren’t they? You’d hope the owners aren’t skimping and giving the staff the correct means to be safe

Mr E · 06-04-2020 9:45am

Mod: Guys, stop the sniping and "yore ma" crap. Stay on topic or cards will be handed out.

Salary Negotiator · 06-04-2020 9:55am

Runaways wrote: »

I dunno that’s just how the lady I spoke to explained it when I had to call them. She went to lengths to assure me she wasn’t a doctor too.

I bet you have an anecdote to support for every claim you make.

The Bishop Basher · 06-04-2020 9:56am

Danzy wrote: »

The plan is in place, a team is running it. A few hours of his time isnt going to affect it but the public will take great reassurance from it.

Speak for yourself.

Not all of us are gullible enough to take reassurance from blatant government spin.

Good to know that we don’t actually need a full time Taoiseach though. There’ll be some savings there when this is all over.

Jinglejangle69 · 06-04-2020 9:57am

DeanAustin wrote: »

Of course there's an element of PR to this. Fair play to him but I'm sure he's happy with the publicity too.

I find it intriguing how the majority of people talk about how great Leo, FG and Holohan are doing as if they are doing something above and beyond what's expected of them. They're doing well but they're doing their jobs not something superhuman.

Personally, I'd vote Leo for Taoiseach because I think he's the best candidate for it. I thought it before the election. Anyone changing their opinion on his suitability for Taoiseach over this needs a serious look in the mirror. Once this passes, all the reasons you didn't vote for him last time will still be there.

The nurses are just doing their job too.

They don't deserve any extra praise.

DeanAustin · 06-04-2020 9:58am

Dav010 wrote: »

Not just doing their job, but doing it well. He/they have not had one missed step, compare that to Bojo and Sideshow Don.

Yeah I'd agree with that. They are. But they aren't doing anything I wouldn't expect. Yet a lot of people seem to be falling over themselves to say how wonderful they are. They are very competent people doing their jobs well. No more, no less.

It's a strange phenomenon that people seem to be queuing up to go over the top in their praise for politicians in this sort of situation but will lambast them for the rest of their term. Leo is nowhere near as bad as a lot of people painted him before this started and he's not as good as some people are painting him right now.

He's still the best man for Taoiseach though in my opinion.

DeanAustin · 06-04-2020 10:00am

Jinglejangle69 wrote: »

The nurses are just doing their job too.

They don't deserve any extra praise.

Nurses rightly get praised in normal times and they are now out there actually risking their health and lives. They deserve praise.

With politicians it seems to be a complete change in opinion of them from a lot of people.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 06-04-2020 10:03am

This is a PR exercise.

It's true. Plenty of people on this thread are bashing leo for it.

The fail to realise that it's not a PR exercise for political points or for Fine Gael of Leo Veradker.

It's a PR exercise for retired or otherwise non working medical professionals to come back to the health service.

If people want to say I'm 65 and retired. I don't want to deal with patients and be exposed to the virus they can see that there's non front line roles. If people want to say I'm old and can't do 40 hour weeks any more then they can see positions available for them now one shift a week.

It's about inspiring these people to offer their services. If Leo Veradker can do it as Taoiseach can they not do it as well.

Jinglejangle69 · 06-04-2020 10:05am

DeanAustin wrote: »

Nurses rightly get praised in normal times and they are now out there actually risking their health and lives. They deserve praise.

With politicians it seems to be a complete change in opinion of them from a lot of people.

Well according to you their just doing their job so why do they deserve extra praise?

storker · 06-04-2020 10:06am

chicken foot wrote: »

I did not vote FG

I am not a FG BOT/Shill/Blueshirt or any other variation.

I quite enjoyed the Black & Tans getting to No 1 on the back of Leo's ridiculous commemoration plans back, what seems like, another era.

I thought it was great that he was reduced to a count five before he got re-elected in Feb as I truly believed that he had lost touch with the heartbeat of this country.

These past few weeks I will defy anyone to say a bad word about him and the work that he and his team have done during this pandemic. I will not hear it because it is not true.

He is not without fault but this is his forte. his partner, sisters and brother in laws are all front line members in the Health Services, he is seeing this first hand and understands it better than most of us. His immediate family are putting their lives on the line and now he is too in whatever capacity he can. This is not a PR stunt, this isnt Trump flying into an Army Base to cheer on his cannon fodder before flying off again before any sign of danger. This is a man who is walking into ground zero whilst the place is still burning. I see Pearse Dohertys wife also returned to the front line. A woman with a family of four put herself in front also to fight this virus. Another example of extreme bravery from those who are trained to help others. If you can cheer on Mrs Doherty (which you should) you should bloody cheer on Leo too.

This is not a political issue, anyone that makes it so goes against everything this country stands for and you should be ashamed of yourselves. Credit where its due folks.

I was in two minds about this business until I read the above. Well argued sir. Plaudits to Leo, and Mrs Doherty and anyone else who jumps into the trenches (including Mme Storkeuse

), whatever their political flavour.

blanch152 · 06-04-2020 10:16am

Junkyard Tom wrote: »

Let the FG circle-jerk commence.

The single thanks your post received says it all.

KCross · 06-04-2020 10:19am

Runaways wrote: »

It actually is something anyone can do.
The people manning the hotline you call aren’t doctors. They ask you a list of predetermined questions about your symptoms and contact and it’s out into an algorithm.
Depending on the answers a doctor then calls you back.

So yes. Anyone can do it.

So, presumably he's doing the doctor bit not the bit that anyone can do... thats my point.

If all he was doing was reading off a script he wouldnt need the bother of rejoining the medical register. He presumably is using his qualification and needs to be on the register to make the referral.

If he is just contact tracing its a waste of a valuable Taoiseach's time. I dont think its contact tracing. We have thousands willing to do that job.

Phoebas · 06-04-2020 10:19am

The Bishop Basher wrote: »

Good to know that we don’t actually need a full time Taoiseach though. There’ll be some savings there when this is all over.

I think you can rest assured that Leo, and indeed every Taoiseach, puts in a lot more hours that a standard 40 hour week.

ThunbergsAreGo · 06-04-2020 10:21am

DeanAustin wrote: »

Yeah I'd agree with that. They are. But they aren't doing anything I wouldn't expect. Yet a lot of people seem to be falling over themselves to say how wonderful they are. They are very competent people doing their jobs well. No more, no less.

It's a strange phenomenon that people seem to be queuing up to go over the top in their praise for politicians in this sort of situation but will lambast them for the rest of their term. Leo is nowhere near as bad as a lot of people painted him before this started and he's not as good as some people are painting him right now.

He's still the best man for Taoiseach though in my opinion.

I think its reminded people that politicians are human, Harris being a case in point. His human side has come out during this.

The abuse politicians get is way over the top. To use Harris as an example, he did not single handily cause the budget overruns on the Childrens Hospital, or lead to a trolley shortage etc.

ThunbergsAreGo · 06-04-2020 10:23am

Runaways wrote: »

It actually is something anyone can do.
The people manning the hotline you call aren’t doctors. They ask you a list of predetermined questions about your symptoms and contact and it’s out into an algorithm.
Depending on the answers a doctor then calls you back.

So yes. Anyone can do it.

....and hopefully this leads to more of those who have unfortunately lost their jobs volunteering to do just that

JohnnyFlash · 06-04-2020 10:26am

ThunbergsAreGo wrote: »

I think its reminded people that politicians are human, Harris being a case in point. His human side has come out during this.

The abuse politicians get is way over the top. To use Harris as an example, he did not single handily cause the budget overruns on the Childrens Hospital, or lead to a trolley shortage etc.

This is it in a nutshell. The vast vast majority of politicians are fundamentally decent, honest, and hard working people who get into politics because they have a genuine desire to affect change. It’s a very tough job, and they now have to deal with so much venom and spite on social media as well.

Field east · 06-04-2020 10:27am

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??

Sure you , with your logic should be able to fly a helicopter, an airplane, build a house man a subside line, do all the things solicitors do , grow sugarbeet, attend successfully to a sick calf , etc, etc, etc, etc then. Come on d, try an attempt at getting real. Is this another attempt at mud slinging in the hope that some of it will stick. As Nixon said. ‘I know that he did not do it but let him deny it”

Field east · 06-04-2020 10:32am

s1ippy wrote: »

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

A bit of mud slinging there in the hope that some of it may stick for you!

DeanAustin · 06-04-2020 10:35am

Jinglejangle69 wrote: »

Well according to you their just doing their job so why do they deserve extra praise?

They are actually risking their lives every day this goes on. They are underpaid for the work they do. They deserve praise because they earn less than a lot of people (me included) and make far more of an impact on people's lives. They also get rightly praised (and not abused) in normal circumstances.

For some reason, politicians get a proper (sometimes nasty) kicking in normal circumstances and then get lauded as being superhuman in these situations.

Field east · 06-04-2020 10:40am

Snow Garden wrote: »

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

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

It’s an international practice at all levels. What do you do when you are having visitors to your accommodation ? You normally tidy up that part of the house that they may have access to, sweep / Hoover floor, check toilet, provide special food, clean sheets on bed if staying , etc, etc, etc. it seems to be part of our culture which most countries have allso

Pintman Paddy Losty · 06-04-2020 10:55am

blanch152 wrote: »

The single thanks your post received says it all.

Some people can't help themselves blanch.

markodaly · 06-04-2020 12:12pm

ThunbergsAreGo wrote: »

I think its reminded people that politicians are human, Harris being a case in point. His human side has come out during this.

The abuse politicians get is way over the top. To use Harris as an example, he did not single handily cause the budget overruns on the Childrens Hospital, or lead to a trolley shortage etc.

This.

With the advent of social media and the internet, people think that their opinion actually matters as much as everyone else, no matter what $hite or guff they come out with.
The anti-Vaxers are a case in point. They are just expressing an 'alternative' view.

As per Leo, dammed if he does, dammed if he doesn't and dammed regardless for sure what the hell.

However, I am sensing people are getting very very tired of the excessive negativity surrounding Leo, especially from SF idiots.

There are many many idiots out there, who are utterly clueless on what government does and their remits and limits of power. They actually think Leo is some dictator that can snap his fingers and 'get stuff done!' when in fact we live in a Republic with huge amounts of checks and balances thrown into the mix.

Jinglejangle69 · 06-04-2020 12:14pm

markodaly wrote: »

This.

With the advent of social media and the internet, people think that their opinion actually matters as much as everyone else, no matter what $hite or guff they come out with.
The anti-Vaxers are a case in point. They are just expressing an 'alternative' view.

As per Leo, dammed if he does, dammed if he doesn't and dammed regardless for sure what the hell.

However, I am sensing people are getting very very tired of the excessive negativity surrounding Leo, especially from SF idiots.

There are many many idiots out there, who are utterly clueless on what government does and their remits and limits of power. They actually think Leo is some dictator that can snap his fingers and 'get stuff done!' when in fact we live in a Republic with huge amounts of checks and balances thrown into the mix.

They're angry at life and want to blame someone.

Noone is gonna hold your hand through life.

People in this country need to get that into their skulls.

Faugheen · 06-04-2020 12:15pm

Runaways wrote: »

If it’s not a publicity stunt he should forgo the (inevitable) photo op

But you know he won’t

Concannon strikes again.

It’s a publicity stunt.

I’d bet both my bollocks that if he didn’t do the photo op then people would question whether he did anything.

Some people are never happy.

Dr. Leo Varadkar rejoins the health service

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