EHCI EHCI

IRELAND HAS DROPPED eight places in the latest Euro Health Consumer Index, which ranks healthcare across the continent. The country is down from 14th position in the 2013 study to 22nd in the latest league table, for 2014.

The Netherlands stays on top, gaining 898 out of maximum 1,000 points, followed by Switzerland, Norway, Finland and Denmark.

The study includes 36 countries, plus Scotland.

Ireland is now well down the table — behind Spain, Italy, Slovenia and Slovakia.

The EHCI is compiled from a combination of public statistics, patient polls and independent research conducted by Health Consumer Powerhouse, a Sweden-based private company.

“For several years, Irish patient organisations have been most pessimistic in their responses to the patient survey conducted as part of EHCI research,” a statement from Dr Arne Bjornberg of Health Consumer Powerhouse said.

“After six years of persistent patient criticism the official waiting list data have lost credibility.

As a matter of principle, in the EHCI 2014 it was decided to use the patient organisation feedback to score Ireland on waiting times. This accounts for the drop from rank 14 to 22.

Dr Bjornberg adds:

“Patient empowerment is on the level of Romania, waiting times as long as in Sweden (which is bad!) and healthcare inequity is evident.

“Wide-spread duplicate healthcare insurance can be interpreted as an extreme case of dissatisfaction with the public system.

Ireland should take radical action to improve patient information and empowerment and reduce waiting to the level of other EU members.

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