Progress in the Health System

[jady88]

I am trying to work out whether or not since Mary Harney took control of the health system al those years ago any actual progress has been made? We seem to hear constantly about the problems but I'd like to know what the situation actually is? Has there been progress, if so where and whats it's actual impact on the service for people on the ground. What problems have continued or worsened?

Privatisation is demonised but was the effect been? Links to claims would be greatly appreciated.

[campbeca]

I am trying to work out whether or not since Mary Harney took control of the health system al those years ago any actual progress has been made? We seem to hear constantly about the problems but I'd like to know what the situation actually is? Has there been progress, if so where and whats it's actual impact on the service for people on the ground. What problems have continued or worsened?

Privatisation is demonised but was the effect been? Links to claims would be greatly appreciated.

No news is good news. "Health service in shambles" sells a lot more newspapers than "Health service improving steadily by major international comparisons"

[Rahood]

I am trying to work out whether or not since Mary Harney took control of the health system al those years ago any actual progress has been made? We seem to hear constantly about the problems but I'd like to know what the situation actually is? Has there been progress, if so where and whats it's actual impact on the service for people on the ground. What problems have continued or worsened?

Privatisation is demonised but was the effect been? Links to claims would be greatly appreciated.

No news is good news. "Health service in shambles" sells a lot more newspapers than "Health service improving steadily by major international comparisons"

I'm in the system.
I seen the boss on the 7/7
and have still to hear back

[Leftfemme22]

I am trying to work out whether or not since Mary Harney took control of the health system al those years ago any actual progress has been made? We seem to hear constantly about the problems but I'd like to know what the situation actually is? Has there been progress, if so where and whats it's actual impact on the service for people on the ground. What problems have continued or worsened?

Privatisation is demonised but was the effect been? Links to claims would be greatly appreciated.

No news is good news. "Health service in shambles" sells a lot more newspapers than "Health service improving steadily by major international comparisons"

I'm in the system.
I seen the boss on the 7/7
and have still to hear back

Don't expect any sort of rational debate regarding the HS around here.

[hopi watcher]

I am trying to work out whether or not since Mary Harney took control of the health system al those years ago any actual progress has been made? We seem to hear constantly about the problems but I'd like to know what the situation actually is? Has there been progress, if so where and whats it's actual impact on the service for people on the ground. What problems have continued or worsened?

Privatisation is demonised but was the effect been? Links to claims would be greatly appreciated.

Read the letter in the Times by Dr. Burke, yesterday 29th or visit UHG, a designated 'centre of excellence' or contact th HSE and ask them how long are women waiting for appointments following referral by GP for breast cancer assessment, then make your own mind up. If as I susect, this is a post to allow the usual nut cases to cheer lead for privatisation, have you really nothing better to be doing?

[cancer]

I am trying to work out whether or not since Mary Harney took control of the health system al those years ago any actual progress has been made? We seem to hear constantly about the problems but I'd like to know what the situation actually is? Has there been progress, if so where and whats it's actual impact on the service for people on the ground. What problems have continued or worsened?

Privatisation is demonised but was the effect been? Links to claims would be greatly appreciated.

Personal observations and experiences based in Dublin:

Progress:

- A&E is better in many ways a lot better - seems less stressed and wait time is not as long on trolleys
- Cleanliness - wards and general hospitals cleanliness is way up - major improvement
- Local services outside of hospitals have improved
- Internal referrals i.e. within the health system have vastly improved both from the viewpoint of actually being offered and actually being able to take them up e.g. phsyio, post operation testing but as an inpatient and outpatient
- wait times for MRI's and CT's
- Internal communication both within, between hospitals
- NTPF
- Unions and vested interests are not getting everything their own way - at times the word NO has been heard
- Treatments are improving as are survival rates across a range of ailments and illnesses

Not happy with:

- Need to go private when the situation is not life threatening and you are an outpatient and want to move things along
- Ongoing delays to be seen by a consultant bu public patients and then delay in assessment report being made, referred and patientfinally being submitted - big issue with consultant flexibilty within public health service
- Failure to alleviate stress and some institutionalised failings for patients and staff in cancer areas of our health system
- Lack of enforcement of hygiene standards amongst the public - e.g. no entry or exit to / from hospital for anyone who does not use disinfectant gels at entrances.
- Failure to provide more single beds especially for critically ill and those with hosital infections like MRSA
- MOVING NATIONAL CHILDRENS HOSPITAL TO CITY CENTRE DUBLIN
- NO CANCER TREATMENT CENTRE FOR ULSTER AND NORTH CONNAUGHT
- NO STATE SUPPORTED RESIDENTIAL CARE OVERNIGHT AVAILABILITY FOR VISITORS OF ILL PATIENTS
- Delays to co-lo hospitals
- Failure to open new hospitals / treatment clinics
- Failure to get any real concessions in terms of work practices or felxibility from any group within health service
- Hospitals should not be allowed opt out of the NTPF
- Amount of patients seen by public consultants at any one time and the inevitable lengthy delays

[jady88]

No this isn't any ploy to allow anyone to rant, I want links to proof of progress and evidence of continuing problems? Is there a HSE website that could provide the facts?

[patslatt]

No this isn't any ploy to allow anyone to rant, I want links to proof of progress and evidence of continuing problems? Is there a HSE website that could provide the facts?

THe HSE set up their own health care surveys,done internally. How could they expect surveys meant for publication and dissemination to the public to be critical? The surveys would naturally tend self censor,if not manipulate the data,given that self interest was at stake. The Department of Health should be doing surveys of this kind.

Even when opinion surveys are completely unbiased,it is hard enough to be objective.

[jady88]

Surely there is some site with just basic statistics, showing decreasing numbers or cut's in waiting times. I mean those are things which anyone in the government parties would want highlighted?

[Nikimathew]

It was important that World Bank President Robert Zoellick agreed at the May Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) that domestic spending ceilings imposed on African countries by international financial Institutions should be lifted so the countries can scale up health financing. This is a significant development for all the health campaigns, including maternal and child health, and it will be critical to see whether the bank follows through.

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Nikimathew
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