The Department of Health today (19
th December 2011) published Health in Ireland: Key Trends 2011. This is the fourth edition of this report which presents, in booklet format, a range of data on significant trends in health and health care over the past decade. The booklet is downloadable from the Department of Health website:
http://www.dohc.ie/publications/key_trends_2011.html Health in Ireland: Key Trends 2011
Continuing improvements in health status and life expectancy are evident in the tables and graphs of this booklet. Death rates from all major causes have declined significantly over the period, and life expectancy remains above the EU average. Increased and improved healthcare provision has contributed significantly to these gains. Recent data on expenditure and staffing reflect the effects of continuing economic constraints, and the clear challenge will be to continue to improve health outcomes through better models of care, higher levels of efficiency, and a focus on the patient. A good example of an improvement which can deliver both improved outcomes and higher efficiency can be seen in the acute hospital data where day cases now account for 60% of all hospital admissions having risen from 37% just ten years ago.
Examination of trends over a decade also helps to identify the challenges facing health and the health services in the coming years. Issues such as childhood obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption present serious problems and have the potential to undermine many of the gains achieved in recent years. The ageing of the population is already occurring and will increasingly impose additional demands on service capacity and the management of chronic conditions. Ensuring that health inequalities are reduced and that access to services is maintained and improved are major aims. In an economic climate where resources will be severely constrained, improved efficiency, effectiveness and equity at all levels of the health services will be essential in successfully managing these demands.
Key trends include:
· Total hospital discharges continue to rise but an increasing proportion (60% in 2010) of this activity is now carried out on a day case basis. There has been a 119% increase in the number of day cases seen in public acute hospitals since 2001. Improved and less invasive medical practice is largely responsible for the rapid growth in day patient activity. Average length of stay in hospital for inpatients has fallen to 5.9 days for the first time.
· Over the past decade, Ireland has achieved a rapid and unprecedented improvement in life expectancy. During a period when the average life expectancy in the EU has continued to rise, life expectancy in Ireland has increased from nearly 1 year below the EU average life expectancy, to just above it. Much of this increase is due to significant reductions in major causes of death such as circulatory system diseases.
· Ireland is now beginning to catch up with other European countries in terms of population ageing. The numbers of people over the age of 65 years is projected to more than double to over 1 million by 2040. The greatest proportional increase will be in the 85+ age group.
· Ireland continues to have the highest levels of self-perceived health of those countries in Europe participating in the EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions. 84% of men and 83% of women rate their health as being good or very good. This compares with 71% and 65% for males and females respectively across the EU. The survey also shows significant chronic health problems in the older age groups, with around half of those aged 65+ reporting a chronic illness or condition.
· The results of the Growing Up In Ireland Study indicate that 26% of nine year old children were found to have a body mass index (BMI) that was outside of the ‘healthy’ range. Of these, 19% were defined as overweight and 7% obese.
· 36% of the population is covered by a medical card. Numbers covered have increased by almost 35% over the decade and by over 9% between 2009 and 2010.
· The number of prescription items dispensed under the General Medical Services has increased by over 5% between 2008 and 2009, while the average cost per item has also increased.
· Immunisation rates have been increasing since 2002 and are now approaching the 95% rate as envisaged by the ‘Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland’, (2008).
· Total public health expenditure has risen from €8.4 billion in 2002 to €14.8 billion in 2010. Estimates for 2011 indicate a decline of 5% on the 2010 figure, down to €14.1 billion.
· Public capital expenditure on health was €366 million in 2010 representing an 18% decline on the previous year.
Dr. James Reilly, TD, Minister for Health said:
"I welcome this publication. It provides an overview of health status and the health services during the past ten years and shows real improvements. Mortality rates from circulatory system diseases, for example, have declined by 39% since 2001. Better health care continues to contribute significantly to better outcomes and gains in life expectancy.
In addition to measuring our progress, this report also helps to identify the considerable challenges we face in the coming years. The population continues to grow and to age. Each year an additional 20,000 people are added to the total of those aged over 65 years. To meet these demands in an environment of reduced resources, we must change the way we manage and deliver our services. The data on acute hospitals shows one of the ways in which we are achieving this. 60% of hospital admissions are now for day care treatment, compared with 37% in 2001. This is an example of care which provides both better and less invasive treatment while at the same time increasing volume and efficiency.The report also serves to emphasise the importance of having good data as the basis on which to plan and deliver our services. Policy decisions must be based on evidence of need, effectiveness and best value."
covers population and health status as well as trends in service provision. It is designed as an easy-to-use reference guide to significant trends in health and health care over the past decade. A number of new tables and graphs have been included on specific topics of importance and/or where new data has been made available. Each section of the booklet has a brief introduction summarising key statistics.