Madam, - Mary Harney, in her opinion piece of November 20th, credits the Irish Congress of Trade Unions with first putting forward the idea of the health forum. In the interests of historical accuracy, I would like to point out that this idea was originally proposed by myself at a "brain-storming" session organised by the then leadership of the Labour Party, to which I was invited and asked to contribute.
My belief at the time was that all those with a vested interest in the health services, including patients, should have a forum at which they could be represented, and express their views. This concept was relevant in 2001, and is all the more so in 2007, given our more centralised administrative structures. The Labour Party included my suggestion in its manifesto entitled "Our Good Health" in the autumn of 2001, which also included Universal Health Care Insurance. While the Labour Party was not successful in recent elections, it will no doubt be pleased to see one of its policies implemented by the current Government. - Yours, etc,
JOHN FENNELL, MD, FRCPI,
Kendalstown Rise,
Delgany,
Co Wicklow.