Danny Healy-Rae Warns Men to Seek Care, Criticises Waiting Times
Danny Healy-Rae addressed men's reluctance to seek medical help, warning that delays can lead to late-stage illness and urging prompt action. He argued that when public-system waits are too long, men should consider paying privately rather than risking a late diagnosis.
Danny Healy-Rae said men are slower than women to go to doctors, often enduring pain and neglecting their health until it is too late. He noted that partners frequently prompt men to seek help and related known cases where men waited until they were in stage four with little that could be done.
He recalled an incident of a man who "jumped out of his machine and sought help because it was too late," using the example to underscore the personal cost of delaying medical attention. The speech highlighted farm workers and younger men who wait to be called on the public system.
He told those waiting after a GP diagnosis that if the wait in the public system is too long, they should - "put their hands in their pocket themselves" - to obtain treatment sooner. He framed this as a practical, if regrettable, step to avoid dangerous delays in diagnosis and care.
Danny Healy-Rae decried long waits in the public system and said people should be seen medically without delay. He addressed the minister and thanked Deputy Julian during his remarks, pressing the broader point that men must take responsibility for their health.
The speaker directed his remarks at "fellas milking cows," young men and those awaiting public appointments, urging them to take it upon themselves to seek care. His tone combined concern, urgency and a direct call for men to act rather than endure prolonged waits.
Men delaying medical care
Danny Healy-Rae said men are slower than women to go to doctors, often enduring pain and neglecting their health until it is too late. He noted that partners frequently prompt men to seek help and related known cases where men waited until they were in stage four with little that could be done.
Anecdote of a late presentation
He recalled an incident of a man who "jumped out of his machine and sought help because it was too late," using the example to underscore the personal cost of delaying medical attention. The speech highlighted farm workers and younger men who wait to be called on the public system.
Advice on paying for quicker care
He told those waiting after a GP diagnosis that if the wait in the public system is too long, they should - "put their hands in their pocket themselves" - to obtain treatment sooner. He framed this as a practical, if regrettable, step to avoid dangerous delays in diagnosis and care.
Critique of waiting times and appeals to officials
Danny Healy-Rae decried long waits in the public system and said people should be seen medically without delay. He addressed the minister and thanked Deputy Julian during his remarks, pressing the broader point that men must take responsibility for their health.
Target audience and tone
The speaker directed his remarks at "fellas milking cows," young men and those awaiting public appointments, urging them to take it upon themselves to seek care. His tone combined concern, urgency and a direct call for men to act rather than endure prolonged waits.
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Transcript
And this is a very important debate here today because the first thing that men are slower to go to doctors than women and especially men on their own. I know where they have wives and partners, they see after them and make them go. But men are tough and they persevere with pain and often they let themselves go. I've known of too many cases, Minister, where they waited too long and they were in stage four and where little could be done for them. I see a man that eventually jumped out of his machine and sought help because it was too late. He stayed at it too long. A great man. Fellas milking cows and young fellas waiting to be called, even younger men waiting to be called on the public system. What I say to those fellas that are waiting and if the wait is too long when there's something important diagnosed by a GP, put their hands in their pocket themselves. There's no one as badly off as that. And maybe they'll leave it after them and mind it for someone else. That's a mistake, Ministers. And if they have it at all and if they're waiting in the public system, we all decry having to wait. Because people should be seen after medically, whatever, and anything else. Thank you, Deputy. Deputy Julian, too. Deputy Julian, too. Men have to take it upon themselves to see after themselves. Deputy Julian, too. Thanks. Thank you, my gosh. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.