Health service is improving but patients yet to be convinced, research shows

IRELAND’S health service is improving steadily and moving up the EU ranks, but patients are yet to be convinced.

The annual index put together by the Health Consumer Powerhouse in Brussels ranks Ireland 13th out of 33 countries with a mark of 70% – ahead of Britain but behind the winner, Netherlands, with 87%.

“Ireland has been climbing steadily for the past few years. But the feedback from patients does not reflect this. The system has a domestic marketing problem,” said Dr Arne Bjornberg, the director of the index. “Patients often have irritatingly good memories and even when things improve, it does not register.”