Ireland bottom of Euro table for health service waiting times

Ireland has the joint worst record for waiting times for healthcare in Europe, a damning survey revealed today.

Even though improvements in other areas saw the country climb 13 places from last on the European Consumer Health Index (ECHI), patients still have to wait longer for treatment here than in any other European countries.

The Irish health service is now ranked 16th out of 29 countries studied throughout Europe.

The ECHI 2007 report found some improvements were being made but huge investments are not being matched by dramatically better results.

"The Health Service Executive reform seems to have started improving an historically dismal performance. Still severe waiting list problems and less than fantastic outcomes," the report stated.

Waiting times were described as "not so good" in four out of five areas of the health service including access to a specialist, major non-acute operations, cancer therapy and MRI scans.

The ECHI report looks at health care across Europe from a consumer's point of view.

It said Ireland scored well on patients rights and information with an overall mid-table ranking beside the UK, Malta, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Spain.

Dr Arne Bjornberg, research director for the ECHI, said more could be done to bring waiting times down further.

"First and foremost, cut the waiting times for most treatments - they are still far too long," she said.

"Although it is doing far better overall this year than in the 2006 Index, Ireland remains at the bottom for waiting times."

The survey found Ireland has an above average spend on healthcare and was among a group of six states scoring highest in the pharmaceutical section which includes access to pharmacies and free availability of antibiotics.

Last week the Health Service Executive published findings of an independent survey which showed one third of A&E patients are unhappy with the service.

The Insight07 study headed by researchers at UCD found a high degree of confidence and trust with medics but problems remain in the country's emergency units.

Despite this more than three-quarters of patients said they were prepared to recommend health services.

The report is compiled by Health Consumer Powerhouse (HCP) and president Johan Hjertqvist said Ireland's performance was not keeping pace with investment.

"Looking at the scale of investment in Irish healthcare, you should reasonably expect better access than in Greece or Latvia - but it's not," Mr Hjertqvist said.

"Maybe it takes consumer empowerment in addition to reduce waiting times."

Austria came top of the 2007 survey with a generously providing healthcare system, good access for patients and very good medical results.

The Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Germany take up the next places followed by the Nordic countries Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.

The ECHI report said consumer and patient rights are improving across the board but countries are failing to deal with superbugs with MRSA infections in hospitals appearing to spread.

The study said they are now a significant health threat in one out of two countries.