Public prioritise special health needs, survey shows

The Department of Health has released its report into a major public survey on the future of its Health Strategy.

It shows the public’s main concerns are the standards of care for those with special needs and the provision of community health services, including support for family carers.

The study, undertaken last year, sought responses from the general public as well as health service staff and management.

A total of 1512 members of the public and 300 organisations responded to a consultation pack, Your Views About Health, which was circulated last April and May.

The main findings from the public reponses were that 23 per cent wanted to see greater efforts on behalf of the health service to provide for people with special needs, including those with mental illness, people with learning difficulties, the physically disabled and the chronically ill.

A further 18 per cent emphasised the need for improvement in community care, while 15 per cent wanted more investment in acute hospital services. Other noted areas of concern for respondents included health promotion and eligibility for services.

A large proportion of the respondents also called for improved financial aid for family carers, backed up by training and emotional support.

According to the Minister for Health, Mr Micheál Martin, the information received would be used to help in the development of his strategy. "What will make the Health Strategy robust and durable is the fact that it is based upon what you have said to us," he said.