The foundation of our health and social care system are community health services. They keep people healthy at home and in the surrounding communities and help people to live independently. People with diverse and complex health needs who rely on different health and social services are frequently supported by community services. The authorities willing to find a balance between centralized control and the ability to respond to local needs which has long been at the core of health-care discussions, but they haven’t achieved the required goal of providing equal and universal access.
The effects of Covid-19 on healthcare systems and patient outcomes will be felt for years to come. The already overburdened system as yet came under growing pressure from missed and delayed cancer diagnoses, the mental health crises, and record-breaking waiting lines, according to the latest data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund, a record-breaking 20,813 patients have been waiting for hospital/day care for more than a year, up 11,686 from Nov 2021. The government trying to use all the available resources to alleviate pressure on the health system such as using the private hospital capacity and use of overtime services but due the shortage of healthcare workers that also raise concerns.
The healthcare system will need to reassess how patients are cared for in the face of these obstacles. This gives an opportunity to consider reforms more carefully in order to guarantee the HSE receives value for money while also enhancing patient outcomes, care, and outcomes.
In order to cure illnesses rather than prevent them, our healthcare system is set up to be reactive rather than proactive. In this respect, Irish healthcare is not special. But there needs to be a paradigm shift. The system must be redesigned such that illness prevention and health maintenance are given top priority and funding. Despite the commitments made by the government since 2011 and recapping the core vision of Sláintecare 2016, Ireland remains the only country in Western Europe without universal health coverage for primary care according to Setting the Stage of Progressive Policy Action. Inequality needs to be addressed and government must ensure the coverage of medical card for all vulnerable people.
A sum of €81 million is being granted, the funding is being provided on a one-time basis to community-based and non-profit health and social care organizations as part of government attempts to alleviate the burden of growing living costs and to provide. the Government allocated €62 million for disability services providers, €6.8 million for older people services, €3.9 million for social inclusion drug/homeless services, €3.3 million for palliative care, €0.6million for organisation operating in primary care and just €0.4 million for the health and wellbeing.
Health and wellness are essential issues for everyone, especially those who suffer from chronic ailments such as diabetes or heart disease. Social, physical, spiritual, intellectual, and emotional health & wellbeing are some of the elements of good health. The Irish Government should have allocated more in this aspect. As the experts says our life is built on two pillars: health and wellness. These are what keep us alive and well. In addition, good health and wellbeing are prerequisites for cohesion, stability, and economic growth; they are inextricably linked to social and economic situations.
Community-based health care provides numerous advantages. It boosts economic activity while improving health outcomes and reducing inequities. It is also appropriate for a variety of medical disorders. Community benefit programs frequently include health screenings, and they may also have knowledge and connections to address tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use, unhealthy eating, inactive lifestyles, and other dangerous behaviours.
Community-based health centres address the physical, cultural, and social qualities of the community in collaboration with other local groups. Community health centres also advise locals on preventative care and assist them in enrolling in insurance, avoiding the need for expensive emergency care.
There are numerous factors that can have an impact on wellbeing. They include exercise, food, a sense of belonging, relationships, a career, self-care, spirituality, wealth, the place we live, and a sense of purpose. Health and wellness initiatives by community-based health care encompass all methods, program services, activities, projects, or research aimed at improving physical health, mental health, and the wellbeing.
Community services are failing to meet the expanding demands of population increase, as evidenced by unsustainable levels of admission to & delayed discharges. With population growth, particularly among the elderly, the acute hospital system, which is already under strain, will be unable to function efficiently unless there is a greater move toward primary and community care as the primary way of satisfying patient requirements.
A fundamental medium to long-term policy goal for Ireland must be to enhance its healthcare system such that it delivers universal health coverage for primary care and wellbeing. This involves investing in community care, primary care, and social care.
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