Perceptions of the Quality of Health Care in the Public and Private Sectors in Ireland: Report to the Centre for Insurance Studies Graduate Business School, UCD

This national survey covers topics such as respondent's health status, insurance or medical card coverage and usage of the health services. It records considerable criticism of the public healthcare system, but those whose comments were most unfavourable were those with least experience of the system. Concerns centred most on waiting times, length of stay and inefficiency. Cost was the main factor deterring people from taking out medical insurance. There was strong support for spending to reduce waiting times and improve the quality of the service.