The Health Services Executive’s annual report shoes that there were 8,434 complaints made directed to the HSE services while another 6, 181 complaints were made towards the voluntary hospitals and agencies.

Most of the people were complaining about waiting times, treatment and staff attitudes and mannerism. Specific details were not listed, although they should have been because it will help the HSE learn what the need to improve on.

The Irish Society for Quality and Safety in Healthcare conducted a survey that measured patient’s experience in their hospitals. Almost 16% of the respondents wanted to complain but did not. Only one in 12 patients was not happy with the service they received from the hospital.

Meanwhile, as the HSE deals with administrative complaints, they are currently in the midst of planning a new system in elective orthopedics at 7 different hospitals. The plan to fund the new system in sets that will apply the policy to all costs in future. The funding will work the same way that health insurers and the NTPF pay hospitals in order to treat people. The current hospital funding does not reward safe or cost effective care.