10,000 ideas to improve your health
More than 10,000 separate suggestions were made by Irish people on improving the health service, the report on consultation for the new National Health Strategy has revealed.
‘Your Views about Health’, published by the Department of Health, provides information about the consultation process used to prepare the Strategy. Over 1,500 submissions from members of the public and 300 submissions from various organisations resulted in 10,000 separate proposals and suggestions.
The area which received the highest number of proposals (23%) related to the special health needs of particular groups such as older people and people with disabilities. Men’s Health Drugs
Proposals for improving hospital services were made in 15% of submissions. The organisation of outpatient departments came in for strong criticism, with many people expressing annoyance at waiting times due to ‘same-time’ appointments for large numbers of people. Buy Generic Viagra 50mg
Many suggested longer opening hours for such departments, as well as Saturday opening. A&E departments were also the subject of a high number of suggestions. These included establishing a GP service in A&E departments and levying charges against people who misuse the department. Generic Cialis Soft online
Just over 10% of submissions related to equality and entitlements, the majority of which called for an end to the present two-tier system. Proposals included the provision of medical cards to all children and young people and a change in the income limits which govern medical cards.
The full report can be accessed on the Department’s website at http://www.doh.ie/publications/consult.html