Press release
Department of Health publishes Health in Ireland Key Trends 2022
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
The Department of Health has published Health in Ireland Key Trends 2022.
Highlights from the report include:
Health in Ireland Key Trends 2022 looks at demographics, population health, hospital and primary care, health sector employment and expenditure, providing a comprehensive picture of the health landscape in Ireland today.
It highlights the significant achievements that Ireland has made for key health outcomes in the past decade. However, it also highlights the challenges that persist in terms of the accessibility of timely and efficient healthcare across the population.
This publication, now in its 14th edition, provides the background and context for the Department of Health’s work in creating legislation, policy and strategies to address these critical issues. This volume is the second in a series that will chart post-pandemic impacts on the health service.
Welcoming the report, the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said:
"Health in Ireland Key Trends gives us the opportunity to assess the performance of the Irish health system and reflect on the health status of our people over time.
"It shows the importance of good quality data to health professionals and policy makers alike in providing a high-quality health service for our population as we implement Sláintecare."
The Minister added:
"The largest proportional increases in the population in Ireland are projected to be in the category of those aged 85 years and older. The number of people aged 65 and over will grow from one-fifth to over one-third of the working population over the next two decades which will have implications on how we fund our health services. This is a good thing – people are living longer, but we need to ensure they live well.
"We are investing record levels in health care, building capacity, expanding the workforce and driving positive change with our policies. For example, our cancer strategy is clearly making a positive difference, with mortality rates down almost 16%. We know that Slaintecare will further enhance the health of the population by reforming the way in which we deliver timely, quality healthcare. And we’re making it accessible and affordable, with €4 out of every €5 in 2020 spent on health being funded not by the patient but by the government.
"There is still much to achieve, but the progress outlined in Key Trends shows how we’re making very tangible improvements in health outcomes and delivering a better health service for all."
Health in Ireland Key Trends also introduces details of the Health System Performance Assessment (HSPA) platform which is due to be launched in 2023. Developed in collaboration with the European Commission, the framework of indicators will enable members of the public and other key stakeholders to assess the performance of Ireland’s health service. The framework will ensure transparency, not only in service provision, but also with regards to the level and quality of the service.