Ireland scores poorly in Euro waiting list table

Ireland's health system scores poorly in comparison to many other European countries in terms of its waiting times for treatment, according to a major new European survey.

However, overall, our health system's performance in the European league table is improving, and we are now lying 13th in a ratings list of health services of 33 European countries, compared to 15th place last year.

According to the Euro Health Consumer Index, we still score relatively poorly in terms of access to treatment.

We are given a 'not-so-good' ratings for waits of less than seven days for CT scans, and 'so-so' ratings for waiting times of less than 90 days for non-acute operations and accessing cancer therapy within 21 days.

Under these criteria, we are behind countries such as Switzerland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Albania and Germany, but ahead of countries such as the UK, Spain, Finland, Norway and Portugal.

Commenting on the statistics, the HSE noted that since its transformation programme started in 2006, Ireland has moved from 28th to 13th in the European health service rankings.

The HSE has also pointed out that Ireland is one of three countries, along with Greece and Spain, that are reported as having a "domestic marketing problem" for their healthcare services.

The report indicates that there is a gap between reported improvements and the perception people have of the extent of these improvements.

In the latest European league table, Ireland scores well in areas such as same-day access to GPs; infant deaths; ratio of cancer deaths; preventable years of life lost, percentage of diabetics with high blood sugar levels, and access to new drugs.

It receives a 'not-so-good' score however, for the use of new cancer drugs and a similar low rating for the level of MRSA infections. We get a 'so-so' rating for our mammography rates.

Ireland also receives a poor score in terms of having a healthcare provider catalogue with quality rankings. We also score poorly in terms of e-health.

The statistical report, compiled by the Health Consumer Powerhouse group, rates Ireland 10th of 33 countries in terms of healthcare spend per capita but only 24th in terms of the "bang for buck" from healthcare expenditure.

It says the creation of the HSE in 2005 was "obviously a much-needed reform".

Commenting on the results, HSE CEO Prof Brendan Drumm said this year's ranking for our health services shows that the HSE's modernisation plan is working. He said he was particularly pleased that we are making significant improvements in the health outcomes category.

Of the seven health outcome measures, Ireland scored top marks in four, Prof Drumm pointed out.

Overall, the Netherlands finished top of the European health service league table.

View the full statistical report here

[Posted: Mon 28/09/2009]