Can Gerry Robinson fix the NHS?

[mollox]

Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS? - BBC2 tonight @ 9.00pm

A follow-up to last year’s very interesting 3-part series of Robinson’s efforts to reduce waiting lists in an NHS hospital.

That series illustrated the often dysfunctional relationship between the administrators and the clinical staff, particularly the god-like consultants. Doubtless something of a mirror image of our own Health Service travails - but the NHS system seems to be generally better regarded for patient care than our own.

The follow-up tonight should be worth viewing.

Could Gerry Robinson fix the HSE?

[qtman]

Doubtless something of a mirror image of our own Health Service travails - but the NHS system seems to be generally better regarded for patient care than our own.

It isn't.

The Irish Health Service is ranked No. 15 in the Powerhouse Consumer Health Index; the NHS is ranked No. 16.

[Pauli]

Doubtless something of a mirror image of our own Health Service travails - but the NHS system seems to be generally better regarded for patient care than our own.

It isn't.

The Irish Health Service is ranked No. 15 in the Powerhouse Consumer Health Index; the NHS is ranked No. 16.

qtman, Ireland is 16th and the UK 17th. It's your bible, you should know these rankings by heart. We are nicely tucked in behind Estonia (13th) and the Czech Republic (15th).


An extract from the Powerhouse Consumer Health Index:

“First and foremost, cut the waiting times for most treatments – they are still far too long!
Although it is doing far better overall this year than in the 2006 Index, Ireland remains at the
bottom for waiting times”, concludes Dr. Arne Björnberg Research Director for the Euro Health
Consumer Index.
What more could be done in Ireland?
“Looking at the scale of investment in Irish healthcare, you should reasonably expect better
access than in Greece or Latvia – but it’s not. Maybe it takes consumer empowerment in addition
to reduce waiting times?” states the president of the Health Consumer Powerhouse Mr Johan
Hjertqvist, analysing the index outcomes for Ireland."

We probably waste more money than Estonia and the Czech Republic together spend on better health systems.

[John_C]

Maybe it takes consumer empowerment in addition
to reduce waiting times?

Isn't this basically calling for private healthcare?

[El Matador]

At least there is an NHS to fix.

[Pauli]

Maybe it takes consumer empowerment in addition
to reduce waiting times?

Isn't this basically calling for private healthcare?

The exact meaning of "consumer empowerment" escapes me. Perhaps they mean that and I strongly suspect they do because this type of fuzzy jargon belongs in business efficiency manuals rather than in a text addressing the needs and rights of medical patients.

[Jozer]

We probably waste more money than Estonia and the Czech Republic together spend on better health systems.

Exactly.

[farnaby]

Doubtless something of a mirror image of our own Health Service travails - but the NHS system seems to be generally better regarded for patient care than our own.

It isn't.

The Irish Health Service is ranked No. 15 in the Powerhouse Consumer Health Index; the NHS is ranked No. 16.

And the British (people and media) despair about the quality of the NHS probably as much or even more than we complain about the health service here.

[Aindriu]

Doubtless something of a mirror image of our own Health Service travails - but the NHS system seems to be generally better regarded for patient care than our own.

It isn't.

The Irish Health Service is ranked No. 15 in the Powerhouse Consumer Health Index; the NHS is ranked No. 16.

And the British (people and media) despair about the quality of the NHS probably as much or even more than we complain about the health service here.

It is mostly secondary care (hospitals) that British people complain about. The level of primary care through GPs is excellent and free to all - no paying €50+ to see a doctor - also, most GPs run health centres which are able to offer far more than GPs here in Ireland. Minor surgery (including vasectomy), practice nurses, free counselling, practice midwives etc. We are years behind the UK in that regard.

[badboy2]

Doubtless something of a mirror image of our own Health Service travails - but the NHS system seems to be generally better regarded for patient care than our own.

It isn't.

The Irish Health Service is ranked No. 15 in the Powerhouse Consumer Health Index; the NHS is ranked No. 16.

I have had operations performed in both jurisdictions and the idea that Irish Public Healtcare is is the same league as the NHS is laughable.

It can't be. It has suffered from a longterm lack of capital investment.