Technology top threat to health services

EXPENSIVE new technology — and not an ageing population — is the greatest threat to countries being able to afford decent health services, according to a major new report.

But unless Ireland and other EU states keep their ageing populations healthy, their economies risk becoming poor, the report warns.

Drawn up over the past year by an international team of specialists under the chairmanship of former European Parliament president, Pat Cox, it says countries must analyse how to get the best health services for their money.