_Hlk532300413

279 Connolly, S. and Wren, M.A. (2017) ‘Unmet healthcare needs in Ireland: Analysis using the EU-SILC survey’. Health Policy. 121(4):434-441. Retrieved from: https://www.esri.ie/system/files?file=media/file-uploads/2017-06/RB20170301.pdf

GP Visits280

Hospital admissions/Emergency Departments

Nationally, the Healthy Ireland Survey 2018 found

that women (79%) are more likely to have visited

The Healthy Ireland Survey 2018 found that 12%

a GP than men (68%) with an average of 3.8 visits

of those surveyed had been admitted to hospital in

per person among all aged 15 and older. This

the past 12 months, 9% to a public hospital and 3%

average includes those who have not visited a GP.

to a private hospital with women (12%) marginally

Older age groups are more likely to have visited

more likely to be admitted than men (11%). Among

a GP than those who are younger (94% of those

those aged under 45, women are more likely to

aged 75 and older; 64% of those aged 15 to 24).

be admitted to hospital than men (12% and 7%

Individuals with a full medical card or indeed a

respectively). Usage of Emergency Departments

GP visit card are more likely to visit their GP than

in public hospitals is highest among those aged 15

those without a card. According to the Healthy

to 24 and 75 and older (14% and 13% respectively).

Ireland 2018 survey, those with a full medical

Lifetime visits to emergency Departments are

card visited their GP an average of 6.2 times in the

higher among men (75%) than women (66%).

previous 12 months compared with 3.6 visits for

those with a GP visit card and 2.4 visits for those

Visits to a Dentist

with neither card (p. 21).

According to the 2018 Healthy Ireland Survey,

women are more likely than men to have visited

Those aged 75 and older have on average 6.4 visits

a dentist in the past 12 months (53% and 42%

per year, compared with an average of 2.5 visits

respectively).

for those aged 15 to 24. 8% of those surveyed

have used a GP out-of-hours service during the

Prescriptions

last 12 months. TILDA found little difference in

utilisation between the over 50’s male and female

39% of those surveyed as part of the 2017 Healthy

participants in its study. Earlier work also did not

Ireland Survey were prescribed an antibiotic in the

find consistent gender differences in patterns

past 12 months, with prescriptions more prevalent

of utilisation of health services, other than that

among women (44%) than men (33%). Women in

women who had recently had a birth caused

all age groups were found to be more likely to be

female utilisation rates to be sharply higher than

prescribed an antibiotic than men. The gap was

men’s in the mid-adult age ranges.

widest among those aged 75 and older (women:

56%, men: 40%).

Little difference exists between women from

deprived areas and women from affluent areas in

relation to GP visits. See Table 3.1 for details.

Table 3.1 Proportion of women visiting a GP in the past 12 months (by age and deprivation)
Age	15-24	25-34	35-44	45-54	55-64	65-74	75+
Women from Deprived areas	72	77	71	75	82	91	96
Women from Affluent areas	70	74	73	76	79	91	96
Source: Ipsos MRBI and Department of Health. (2018). Healthy Ireland Survey 2018 Summary of Findings. Department of Health: Dublin. Retrieved from: https://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Healthy-Ireland-Survey-2018.pdf p 22

280 Ipsos MRBI and Department of Health. (2018). Healthy Ireland Survey 2018 Summary of Findings.

Women’s Health in Ireland — Evidence Base for the development of the Women’s Health Action Plan

Figure from page 66

Section 4 - Health Policies and Services Relevant to Women’s Health

—The recognition that women are not a —

4.1 Relevant international women-specific health policies, services and initiatives

homogenous group; and

—The adoption of a whole of government —

approach to promoting gender equality.

At international level, the UN’s Global Strategy

For Women’s, Children’s And Adolescents’ Health

4.2 Current women-specific health policies, services and initiatives in Ireland

2016-2030 aims to achieve the highest attainable

standard of health for all women, children and

adolescents, transform the future and ensure

that every new-born, mother and child not only

There are a small number of women specific

survives, but thrives.

health policies, services and initiatives in Ireland.

At European level, the World Health Organisation

See Table 4.1 for an overview of some of these

(WHO) has devised the Strategy on women’s health

policies and initiatives. These include:

and well-being in the WHO European Region281. The

strategy has four areas for action:

Table 4.1 Women-specific health policies, services and initiatives

—Strengthening governance for women’s health —

1. The National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026 Creating a

and well-being, with women at the centre;

Better Future Together282

—Eliminating discriminatory values, norms and —

2. The General Scheme of the Assisted Human

practices that affect the health and well-being