Election 2024

Election 2024: What are the key health issues for voters?

Several problems are persistent and require action — from waiting lists to emergency department overcrowding

Earlier this year the Coalition promised almost 3,000 additional hospital beds by 2031. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA
Earlier this year the Coalition promised almost 3,000 additional hospital beds by 2031. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA
Shauna Bowers's picture
Shauna Bowers
Mon Nov 11 2024 - 06:00

During every election cycle, the health service sparks interest among the public. Though housing and immigration may have surpassed it in terms of public concern, there are still several issues within the system that will be key for voters.

UHL

University Hospital Limerick (UHL) is often referred to as the problem child of the Irish hospital system, due to endemic overcrowding. This is particularly true in light of the death of 16-year-old Aoife Johnston, who waited more than 13 hours before receiving antibiotics to treat suspected sepsis.

Following her death, there has been a significant focus on what needs to change to ensure the healthcare needs of the people in the midwest are being met in a safe and timely manner.

The Health Information and Quality Authority is conducting a review into whether a second emergency department (ED) is required in the area, something that locals have been calling for since the closure of the other EDs across the region in 2008.

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Emergency department overcrowding

Though UHL has the biggest difficulty when it comes to too many people and not enough beds, it is a challenge that is present throughout many of the hospitals in the State.

Earlier this year, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe promised the delivery of almost 3,000 new hospital beds by 2031.

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However, the vast majority of these are unfunded, with Donnelly at the time stating he would “expect” the remainder of the beds to be funded through the next National Development Plan, meaning it would be a requirement for the incoming government to ensure these beds are brought to fruition.

Overcrowding and long waiting times before being admitted will not ease until capacity has increased.

Mental health

The provision of mental healthcare is something that has faced significant controversy in recent years, particularly in light of the south Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) scandal, in which young people were prescribed inappropriate medication.

A 2022 review into the service found the care received by 240 young people did not meet the standards it should have and significant harm was caused to 46 children and young people.

But there are also other issues here, including long waiting lists for Camhs, insufficient eating disorder beds and inpatient facilities not meeting minimum standards.

Disability

Any parent of a child with a disability will tell you just how the system is at crisis point. HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster has acknowledged there is work to be done about provision of disability services.

An assessment of need, carried out by the Health Service Executive, assesses a child’s health needs. This is supposed to be carried out within six months of being requested, but at the end of June more than 11,000 children were overdue their assessment.

Many parents speak about having to pay privately for occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, which can be costly.

For adults with disabilities or their family members who care for them, there are consistent criticisms that they have to fight to access the necessary supports.

National Children’s Hospital

Next year will, so we’re told, be marked by the substantial completion of the National Children’s Hospital, a project beset by delays and escalating costs.

The project, however, remains a political football. Even if the promised substantial completion date is met in June — 14 have already come and gone — the tensions around the project are continuing to simmer between main contractor Bam and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, the body overseeing the project.

There could be further conflict between the two even after completion, due to litigation around the validity of claims made by Bam about money they say is owed.

Children’s spinal surgery

Children with scoliosis and spina bifida have been experiencing prolonged waiting times for life-changing spinal surgery.

Additional money was provided to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) specifically to improve the provision of spinal surgeries, but Donnelly revealed in recent months that the money was used “more broadly” across the hospital.

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In recent weeks, the Department of Health announced it was partnering with hospitals outside of the State, such as the United States and United Kingdom, where eligible children awaiting this surgery could be flown and receive care.

Waiting lists

Waiting lists have, in recent months, begun to fall. But they are declining from a significant peak of more than 900,000 people.

Though the number on a waiting list is an important metric, it is not the only one. The amount of time spent on such a list is another significant indicator.

Two-thirds of patients are waiting longer than target times. Voters are acutely aware that behind each number is a person waiting for an important medical or surgical intervention.