Reassessing private practice in public hospitals in Ireland
An overview of OECD experiences
In 2017, the “Sláintecare Report” proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the Irish health
system including a reform proposal to phase out private practice in public hospitals
to end the unequal treatment of public and private patients – private patients typically
have quicker access to care – and reduce waiting times for public patients. This paper
summarises the arguments for and against this practice that were put forward to help
inform the subsequent policy debate. The paper compares how private practice is regulated
and organised in Ireland with the situation in four other OECD countries – Australia,
France, Israel and the United Kingdom - and discusses the costs and benefits of private
practice in public hospitals, and highlights potential consequences of a ban on this
practice. It also describes the information required when making a decision whether
to ban this practice or not. Finally, the paper discusses some alternative policy
approaches that could replace or complement a ban of private practice to discontinue
the unequal treatment of public and private patients.
Published on May 20, 2020
In series:OECD Health Working Papersview more titles