The Irish health service has warned that rising costs are “unprecedented” and will require changes in how we spend the money.
The Irish Health Service said it was working with the government and industry to address concerns over the impact of rising health care bills on health services and the economy.
In a new report, the organisation said it expects health care and social care to become more expensive in the coming years, adding that a combination of rising bills and an ageing population means that the cost of caring for people is set to escalate.
“As the population ages, the burden of care will increase, particularly in the elderly and in areas with a high proportion of older people,” the organisation’s report said.
“These pressures are likely to have an adverse effect on economic activity and on the health of the people in those aged 65 and over.”
The cost of care and other administrative costs will increase significantly over the next few decades and will have an impact on the economic performance of the health service.
“It said that the health and social services system was also being impacted by rising costs of medication and testing.”
We have a responsibility to ensure that the costs of caring and supporting people who are ill and disabled are as low as possible,” the report said, adding: “Health and social service spending in Ireland is expected to increase in the years ahead.
“The report also warned that a lack of financial management will be a challenge for the health sector.”
While the Irish Government has made some good progress in reducing the cost to the Irish economy of healthcare, there is still room for improvement,” it said.
It said the Irish healthcare system will need to do more to support and manage the complex and complex systems it needs to manage.”
It will also require the health system to take into account and manage more complex systems that are in the public domain and that have to be managed,” the paper said.
Irish Independent