Sláintecare is the term used for Ireland’s health reform that focuses on patient’s needs with the help of the Department of Health and the Health and Safety Executive. The program extends on ten years of innovation in healthcare, covering aspects like access to services, funding, and population health profile.
The plan is to establish a single-tier health service in which patient safety is prioritised. Considering the extensive waiting lists in Ireland for various types of care, including inpatient or outpatient care, the plan is crucial to allow people the needed services.
Current patients are assessed on the waiting list by their condition, the number of people already waiting, and the demand for the specific service of the patient. These factors lengthen the lists unnecessarily and push people towards private medical care.
So, Sláintecare, which started in 2018, has only a few years left to change the health system. What’s there left to accomplish?
How much does Ireland need a one-tier medical system?
Ireland’s current medical system is two-tiered, with both public and private healthcare options. While it was once considered one of the best and most affordable healthcare systems in Europe, high population growth and ageing, as well as economic struggles such as inflation and the pandemic, have heavily affected its healthcare services.
Unfortunately, the continuous inability to make improvements fast led to tragic events, such as the CervicalCheck cancer scandal. The case included an HSE service, a screening program that failed terribly, providing incorrect smear results for women undergoing tests for cervical cancer. Sadly, the HSE confirmed 206 to have developed cervical cancer following the misdiagnosis. Many women sued the facility for the incorrect tests, knowing their legal rights after a cancer misdiagnosis.
So, how does Sláintecare plan to change the failing system?
The CervicalCheck scandal wasn’t the only case showing how flawed the medical system has become in recent years. The biggest problem was eliminating political contributions and devising a better health insurance plan because the current one was highly inefficient. Even though half of the country’s citizens have health insurance, their subsidy is insignificant.
The reform states that the following should be part of the universal healthcare:
- Community diagnosis;
- Rehabilitation;
- Maternity care;
- Palliative care;
- Dental care;
- Hospital day case;
Residents would be offered healthcare entitlement through a health card called Carta Sláinte. This document will offer incentives for accessing care outside hospital facilities while also removing or lowering charges to make it possible for people to solve their financial issues.
The program should be funded by a National Health Fund, a mix of taxation revenues, earmarked taxes, and levies. Of course, the expected outcome can only be achieved through extended and consistent change in the Irish health system. Progress has been slow until now, so it’s not sure if the ten-year milestone is enough to repair what’s been broken by decades of decline.
How can the program handle the growing ageing population?
Data shows that Ireland has the fastest-ageing population in Europe, intensifying the need for a better healthcare system, as the current one cannot support it. It’s expected that in the following 20 years, the ratio between tax-contributing workers and elders will reach three to one, compared to the current five-to-one situation.
Although people are living longer, their access to adequate healthcare services is slowly declining, making it more difficult for them to have a healthy and happy life in addition to more years of living. The demographic is even more unsettling as birth rates decline consistently, meaning fewer people can support the elderly and the economy.
If the Sláintecare program succeeds, more people currently struggling to access free healthcare will be able to improve their lifestyles. In addition, young adults will be less inclined to flee the country. According to the Irish government, about 1.47 million citizens live abroad, mostly seeking better education and job opportunities.
Will Ireland’s economy grow?
Ireland’s economy contributed to the healthcare sector, and since experts forecast slow growth in the future, this might interfere with the new implementation program. Although the country recorded considerable financial growth in 2023, successfully recovering after the pandemic, with employment reaching an all-time high of 74.4%, we’re a bit unsure about the future.
Entrepreneurs and leaders advise the government to invest more in infrastructure sectors, including housing, energy, and transport. A budget surplus might make developing these sectors possible, but we have to wait for the 2025 elections to see how things will change in the long run.
In addition, investments in higher education are absolutely needed, as the OECD showed that the country lacks enough expenditure per student. This is a strategic priority in improving citizens’ capacity to find a stable job and contribute to the economy. Finally, global competitiveness, innovation, and investment offerings are critical in helping Ireland rise again.
England’s waiting lists are no different
The unfortunate situation with the long hospital waiting lists is no different in England, where about 7.57 million people are waiting to get treatment. Some people have waited for more than a year to see their doctor again. Long waits for cancer care are regular now, as patients have to wait more than usual for cancer drugs or chemotherapy compared to a few years ago.
In addition to the economy and the lack of investment, workforce shortages and strikes have affected the healthcare system like never before. Therefore, the government must tackle an extensive set of causes for the industry’s failure.
Do you think Sláintecare will be efficient?
Sláintecare is an innovative approach to changing the medical system in a one-tire sector, where citizens will be able to better and faster access medical services. The proposal has been introduced to cut long waiting lines and turn people back to public healthcare since so many have no choice but to use costly services within the private healthcare system. In addition, the government must also focus on details like the aging population and supporting young generations in order to complete the circle of contribution.
