The Department of Health has today published its 'Health in Ireland: Key Trends 2016' which examines trends in the sector. 

The data analysed looks over the last decade's trends in demographics, population health, hospital and primary care and health service employment and expenditure.

Today's publication is the ninth edition released by the department and some of the notable points were:

• In comparison to other EU countries, Ireland continues to have the highest levels of self-perceived health of any EU country. Those with higher education attainment tend to report better health than those with lower education attainment.

 

• The number of day case discharges in acute hospitals per 1,000 population has increased significantly over the period 2006 to 2015, while the number of in-patient discharges per 1,000 population has remained relatively stable.

 

• The total number of people on outpatient waiting lists increased in the period December 2015 to August 2016, with the number increasing at a slower pace from August 2016 to November 2016.  The number of people waiting longer than 52 weeks increased throughout the year.

 

• The numbers of people employed in the public health service now stands at 105,886 (September 2016). This is a 1.9% increase from the numbers employed in the public health service at the end of 2015.

 

• Total public health expenditure has risen from €13.7 billion in 2007 to an estimated €15 billion in 2016. Estimates for 2016 indicate a 4.8% increase in expenditure from 2015.

The full report can be read here.