HEALTH

Discover how Ireland is seeking to improve health outcomes

HEALTH

As the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to loom large over the struggling resource challenges rife across the health system, the Irish Government is keen to progress on big-ticket issues such as hospital waiting lists, as well as longer-term policies such as Sláintecare and capacity-building within the HSE.

Towards the beginning of 2023, the European Commission will commence revisions on EU pharmaceutical legislation, paediatric medicines and rare disease treatments. 2023 may also see the progression of the Private Members’ Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2021 which seeks to streamline the reimbursement process for medicines in Ireland. The coming year will feature further work on Sláintecare, the digitalisation of the HSE, and implementation of the National Cancer Strategy to name but a few policies.

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Legislation

Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill
Publication of the General Scheme of the Health Information Bill
Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) (Amendment) Bill 2021 navigates Oireachtas
Publication of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2022
Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) focus on implementation of the Medical Devices Regulation (MDR)
Health Insurance Amendment Bill 2021 navigates Oireachtas

Government Announcements

Publication of the new Digital Healthcare Framework 2023-2027
Removal of VAT on defibrillators, nicotine and hormone replacement therapies from 1 January
Opening of the 6th and final Regional Fertility Hub
Final rollout of the Chronic Disease Management Programme in general practice
Launch of a website to support the Healthy Ireland Healthy Workplaces Framework

Government Publications

HSE publishes digital mental health strategy
Department of Health report on a reformed model of service delivery for home-health support
Review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 to be published
Publication of a new Model of Care for Dementia
HSE publishes Service Plan 2023

European Level

Swedish Presidency of the Council commences
Revision of EU pharmaceutical legislation
Revision of EU legislation on medicines for children and rare diseases
Council Recommendations on cancer screening to be considered by the National Screening Advisory Committee

INSIGHT

Aside from the ongoing pandemic response, the first three months of 2023 will see a number of health-specific pieces of legislation progress through the Oireachtas, namely the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill and the Health Information Bill.

The digitalisation of the Irish health service is seen by many as a solution to drive down waiting list numbers. As such, the Government aims to publish a new Digital Healthcare Framework 2023-2027 in Q1 of 2023. However, whether these timelines are impacted by recent senior departures from the health service remains to be seen.

Government Publications

Publication of the Sláintecare Action Plan for 2023
Publication of a revised palliative care policy
Publication of the Implementation Plan 2023-2026 under the Action Plan for Disability Services

European Level

Policy framework on mental health
Revised EU pharmaceutical legislation navigates EU legislative process

INSIGHT

Q2 of 2023 will see the Department of Health publish a new Sláintecare Action Plan for 2023, as well as an Implementation Plan for Disability Services.

The European Commission is set to publish a policy framework on mental health.

Government Announcements

Budget 2024 and Finance Bill 2023
HSE Winter Plan
Health and Social Care Workforce Planning Strategy and Workforce Planning Projection Model to be published

INSIGHT

As is the case each year, Budget 2023 will undoubtedly include fiscal spending changes in the health sector, and is worth bearing in mind during third quarter.

The Department of Health is set to publish a Health and Social Care Workforce Planning Strategy and Workforce Planning Projection Model.

Government Announcements

At least 430,000 patients with chronic disease or at high risk of same shall have been registered as participants in one of the following components:
- Opportunistic Case Finding
- Annual Preventive Programme for patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes
- Structured Treatment Programme for those diagnosed with Chronic Diseases included in the Programme of the Chronic Disease Management Programme when the programme reaches full implementation in 2023
- Completion of the building and configuration of the core technical IT functionality for a digital hospital ePharmacy solution

Government Publications

HSE Winter Plan 2023
Health in Ireland – Key Trends 2023 Report
Healthy Ireland Survey 2023 Results
National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 Implementation Report

European Level

Legislative introduction of a European disability card
Revision of the variation framework for medicines

INSIGHT

Winter is typically a testing time for the Irish health system, and COVID-19 has made this all the more apparent. The HSE will account for this in its 2023 Winter Plan, while publishing key reports on the health of the Irish population.

At a broader level, the European Commission is set to revise the variation framework for medicines.