An Analysis of the Primary Care Systems of Ireland and Northern Ireland

Abstract

The mission of the Economic and Social Research Institute is to advance evidencebased policymaking that supports economic sustainability and social progress in Ireland. ESRI researchers apply the highest standards of academic excellence to challenges facing policymakers, focusing on 12 areas of critical importance to 21 st century Ireland.The Institute was founded in 1960 by a group of senior civil servants led by Dr T. K. Whitaker, who identified the need for independent and in-depth research analysis to provide a robust evidence base for policymaking in Ireland.Since then, the Institute has remained committed to independent research and its work is free of any expressed ideology or political position. The Institute publishes all research reaching the appropriate academic standard, irrespective of its findings or who funds the research.The quality of its research output is guaranteed by a rigorous peer review process. ESRI researchers are experts in their fields and are committed to producing work that meets the highest academic standards and practices.The work of the Institute is disseminated widely in books, journal articles and reports. ESRI publications are available to download, free of charge, from its website. Additionally, ESRI staff communicate research findings at regular conferences and seminars.The ESRI is a company limited by guarantee, answerable to its members and governed by a Council, comprising 14 members who represent a cross-section of ESRI members from academia, civil services, state agencies, businesses and civil society. The Institute receives an annual grant-in-aid from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to support the scientific and public interest elements of the Institute's activities; the grant accounted for an average of 30 per cent of the Institute's income over the lifetime of the last Research Strategy. The remaining funding comes from research programmes supported by government departments and agencies, public bodies and competitive research programmes.Further information is available at www.esri.ie.

Gender and labour market inclusion on the island of Ireland

“…Poorer health levels among older age groups will also have consequences for the potential care burden of the working-age population. The age profile in the two jurisdictions is broadly similar, though there is a slightly higher proportion aged over 65 in Northern Ireland (Connolly et al, 2022). Existing research points to lower life expectancy and a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions (such as heart attack, diabetes, etc.)…”

“…Existing research points to lower life expectancy and a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions (such as heart attack, diabetes, etc.) in Northern Ireland than in Ireland (see Connolly et al, 2022). These patterns might be expected to have consequences for levels of economic (in)activity in the two…”

Improving access to healthcare in Ireland: an implementation failure

“…Recent analysis by Brick and Connolly (2021) showed that a significant proportion of people waited more than 12 months for treatment in 2018, with Ireland performing poorly relative to other European countries. The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions on non-COVID-related hospital activity in 2020 and 2021 have led to a further deterioration in waiting times during 2021 with more than 40% of those on the outpatient waiting list waiting more than one year (Connolly et al, 2022). In addition, shorter waiting times for hospital-based services for those with PHI relative to those without PHI (Whyte et al, 2020) give rise to equity concerns that access to hospital-based services is based on ability to pay rather than need.…”

Changing social and political attitudes in Ireland and Northern Ireland

“…The paralysis of the Stormont institutions has led some young people to feel they are unable to address pressing needs in their lives (such as the cost-of-living or poor mental health) (Shared Island Unit, 2022;Pivotal, 2023). Northern Ireland has also seen the emergence of a healthcare crisis, with already high hospital waiting times climbing rapidly since the pandemic (Connolly et al, 2022).…”