The shared vision of Sláintecare and Programme for Government is universal healthcare. A public health service that provides people with access to high-quality, affordable care when and where they need it.
On Tuesday 28 March, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly published the Sláintecare Progress Report 2022 and the Sláintecare Action Plan 2023.
Sláintecare Action Plan 2023
The Sláintecare Action Plan 2023 is aligned to the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy & Action Plan 2021-2023, the Programme for Government, and the HSE’s National Service Plan.
The focus in 2023 will continue to be on improving access, outcomes, and affordability for patients. We will do this by increasing the capacity and effectiveness of the workforce, infrastructure, and delivery of patient care.
Speaking about the action plan, Mr Donnelly said:
“Significant progress was made last year in achieving that vision, and I am delighted now to present the 2023 Sláintecare Action Plan. This Sláintecare Action Plan 2023 comprises Sláintecare programmes, projects and Programme for Government priorities and is aligned to the HSE’s National Service Plan.
This Sláintecare Action Plan 2023 is the third and final in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan. Much remains to be done however and this year we will also prepare our next multi-annual strategy to commence in 2024. This work will begin early in 2023.”
Sláintecare Progress Report 2022
The Sláintecare Progress Report sets out the progress made in 2022 in improving access, affordability, and quality of our health and social care services.
This progress includes the following:
- Government approval was given on next steps for Regional Health Areas (RHAs) implementation in April 2022.
- The number of patients waiting longer than the Sláintecare maximum wait time decreased by 11%.
- Sláintecare Consultant Contract was approved by Government in December 2022.
- In September 2022, in-patient charges for children under 16 years were abolished.
- Funding was provided in Budget 2023 to end all public in-patient hospital charges.
- Elective Hospitals received formal Government approval in principle.
- 2,400 healthcare workers were recruited to the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) Programme.
- 94 of the planned 96 Community Healthcare Networks (CHNs) were established.
- 21 Community Specialist Teams for Older Persons and 21 specialist teams for Chronic Disease Management were put in place.
The report gives detailed updates on the progress made on 2 reform programmes:
- Improving safe, timely access to care, and promoting health and wellbeing
- Addressing health inequalities – towards universal healthcare
Improving safe, timely access to care, and promoting health and wellbeing
This reform programme is focussed on providing safe, integrated care closer to peoples’ homes. It aims to increase capacity and productivity across our services and reduce waiting lists.
Actions taken in 2022 as part of this programme included:
- commencing Major Trauma Centres services at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
- opening the National Forensic Mental Hospital in Portrane
- opening 18 new Primary Care Centres
- recruiting 5,422 full-time staff members across our health service
- securing €14 million in funding for Sláintecare projects
Major Trauma Centre services at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Major Trauma Centres (MTC) will provide the highest level of specialist trauma care to the most severely injured patients, leading to better outcomes for patients with major trauma.
MTC services began at the Mater Misericordia University Hospital in September 2022. Once additional facilities become available in 2023, a further 700 major trauma patients in the area can be treated each year.
MTC services will begin in Cork University Hospital in 2023.
18 new Primary Care Centres (PCCs) opened
In 2022, 18 new PCCs opened, bringing the total number of operational centres to 165. This will improve service delivery and capacity within the primary care sector, supporting more comprehensive care for people in their local communities.
Addressing Health Inequalities – towards Universal Healthcare
This reform programme is focused on addressing health inequalities to improve healthcare access, experiences, and outcomes for everyone.
Actions taken in 2022 as part of this programme included:
- getting government approval on next steps for the implementation of Regional Health Areas
- abolishing acute in-patient charges for children under 16 years in all public hospitals
- introducing the free contraception scheme for women aged 17-25
- reducing the Drug Payment Scheme threshold to €80 per month
- reaching an agreement for 60 additional undergraduate places in medicine with Irish Medical Schools
- launching the first National Traveller Health Action Plan
- introducing the free national STI home-testing scheme
Free contraception scheme
A free contraception scheme for women aged 17-25 was launched in September 2022. It was expanded to 26-year-olds in January 2023.
First National Traveller Health Action Plan
The National Traveller Health Action Plan was launched at the end of 2022. It aims to improve the health experiences and health outcomes for Travellers and address the severe health inequalities they experience. It will do this through targeted measures and better visibility of Travellers within the health system, both as recipients and providers of care.