A Decade On: Experts Urge Ireland to Learn Lessons from Sláintecare

Published 2026-11-04

Ten years after the Sláintecare health reform plan was introduced in Ireland, a columnist for the Irish Examiner, Suzanne Crowe, has argued that the government should carefully review what happened before starting its next major health project.

Sláintecare was created to change how the Irish health system works. Its main goal was to move towards a single, universal system of care, where people receive treatment based on their health needs rather than their ability to pay. The plan also aimed to reduce long waiting lists and to shift more care into the community, away from hospitals.

In her article, Crowe says that the Government should look closely at the successes and failures of Sláintecare before it begins another large reform programme. She suggests that clear planning and honest review are needed so that future plans can be delivered more effectively. The article focuses on the need for lessons to be learned, rather than on any single decision or event.

The debate comes at a time when many people in Ireland continue to speak about pressures on the health service, including waiting times for hospital care and access to GP services. Changes to the health system affect patients, staff and families across the country, so discussions about how reforms are designed and carried out remain important for the public.

As the Government prepares its next steps, the question of how to build on the experience of Sláintecare is likely to remain a central topic in Irish politics and public debate.

Sources: Irish Examiner

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