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National Service Plan
HSE NATIONAL SERVICE PLAN 2022
National Service Plan 2022
The National Service Plan 2022 was launched on 1 March 2022 and sets out the type and volume of health and social care services to be delivered by the health service in 2022, having regard to the funding made available and the level of sta to be deployed. NSP 2022 outlines the second year’s implementation of the HSE Corporate Plan 2021-2024 which lays out the key actions through objectives and enablers to improve our health service and the health and well-being of people living in Ireland.
The NSP aims to reduce waiting lists, build hospital and other service capacity and continue to support the progress of important Sláintecare reforms through the allocated budget of €20.7bn.
NATIONAL SERVICE PLAN 2022 KEY PRIORITIES
In his foreword, the Chairperson of the HSE Board emphasises the priorities of the HSE for 2022, which are to continue the provision of safe health and social care services and to progress fundamental reforms across service delivery, in line with Sláintecare, including addressing waiting lists and waiting list times. We will progress the implementation of national strategies, the provision of women’s healthcare and improve mental health services. We will ensure rigorous and meaningful risk oversight, prioritising the mitigation of the most significant risks for the HSE as identified in the Corporate Risk Register, and e ectively monitor our performance against clearly defined targets.
The National Service Plan 2022:
• Provides details on priorities, actions and the type and volume of service that will be provided by our service areas • Describes the Financial Framework that supports the NSP, detailing the expenditure limits for the HSE at national level and setting out specific areas of investment in 2022 • Focuses on our Workforce and Corporate Human Resources, recognising the vital role of sta at all levels of our organisation • Outlines the priorities of the key enablers that support our services • Lists the performance indicators and activity measures against which our performance and volume of activity is assessed • Provides a focus to compel improvements in the security and resilience of critical national infrastructure following the cyberattack • Outlines how we will sustain the COVID-19 response in line with legislative requirements • Raises significantly the priority, profile and scope of our e orts in to reduce energy consumption.
2022 BUDGET
The total 2022 operating budget is €20,683m. €310m of this budget is for investment in new measures, including: • €54.5m for disability services, including €4m for Winter Plan measures • €40.2m for PCRS / eligibility measures • €38.6m for implementing national strategies • €30.0m for new drugs • €22.5m for older persons’ services, including €4.2m for Winter Plan measures • €25.3m for women’s health • €24.0m for mental health , including €1m for Winter Plan measures • €22.3m for workforce and allied reform measures • €9.1m for acute Winter Plan measures • €10.5m for additional critical care capacity • €6.0m for National Drugs Strategy • €4.5m for acute eligibility measures • €4.0m for Healthy Ireland • €3.05m for palliative care, including €0.65m for Winter Plan measures • €15.8m for other initiatives, including €3m for Winter Plan measures.
Our Population
The population of Ireland was estimated to be 5.01 million people in April 2021. This is the first time that the Irish population has risen above five million since the 1851 census, when the population was recorded at 5.11 million.
The population continues to grow across all regions and age groups. As before, the most significant population growth has been among the older age groups. Over the last decade, the number of people in Ireland aged 65 years and over has increased by over one-third, and growth in this demographic has been twice that of the European Union (EU) average in the same period. The growth in this older age group can be expected to continue into 2022 and can be attributed to better medical care, more accessible treatments and improved lifestyles.
Life expectancy is increasing and the most significant factor is reduced mortality rates from major diseases. However, life expectancy is socially patterned and remains lower for unskilled workers compared to professional workers.
Delivering Sláintecare – Strategic Reform and Innovation
The National Service Plan 2022 is aligned with the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy (2018). The Sláintecare strategy provides us with an unprecedented opportunity for the realisation of sustained improvement in the provision of healthcare to all citizens. Sláintecare sets out a tenyear vision, covering a wide canvas of complex issues across the health sector and implementing that vision requires concrete and well-defined steps to be taken over time.
Health reform is central to the delivery of our vision for our health services, bringing us closer to the delivery of Universal Healthcare as set out in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future. There are long waiting lists for scheduled care in hospitals and long waits in emergency departments (EDs), particularly for older people and those with more complex needs. Waiting lists for community-based services such as therapies, mental health and disability services also pose significant challenges. We must improve our services to become more personcentred and proactive. In line with Sláintecare and the Programme for Government objectives, our reform and innovation programme seeks to address these challenges and many others.
If you would like further information on the National Service Plan, please contact the Planning team in the O ce of the National Director, Strategy and Research at planning.ddg@hse.ie or telephone 021-4923531. The National Service Plan 2022 is available at: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/ publications/serviceplans/ hse-national-service-plan-2022.pdf
Childhood Vaccines
COVID-19 demonstrates enduring importance of early childhood vaccinations
COVID-19 has impacted many aspects of life, including access to some healthcare services. Some people may consider delaying routine healthcare appointments. The early childhood vaccinations that babies get are as important as ever, and are considered an essential healthcare service. Throughout the pandemic, GPs have been advised to continue the recommended vaccinations for babies as a priority.
WHY THE ROUTINE CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS ARE IMPORTANT
The significance of early childhood immunisation can be underestimated. We don’t see the e ects of vaccine-preventable diseases as often as we did in the past, but the diseases they protect against have not changed. They can still cause life-threatening complications and even death in children who are not protected.
As recently as the 1980s, 100 children a year in Ireland su ered from meningitis and other serious complications of Haemophilus Influenza B infection. Measles used to kill thousands of people every year. In the 1940s and 1950s, tens of thousands of children were paralysed or killed by polio.
The rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus around the globe has shown us how quickly infectious diseases can spread. As recently as 2018, more than 80,000 cases of measles were reported in Europe with more than 70 deaths. Rates of uptake for immunisations have dropped globally during the pandemic. With increased travel we may experience outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases that are currently rare in Ireland.
WHY VACCINATIONS SHOULD BE GIVEN AT THE RECOMMENDED TIME
To complete their primary vaccination schedule, babies need 5 GP visits between 2 and 13 months of age. The vaccines and the visits are free of charge, and give babies protection from serious life threatening illnesses such as meningitis, measles, whooping cough, polio, pneumococcal disease and haemophilus influenzae b now and when they are older.
The ages at which vaccines are recommended are chosen to give children the earliest and best protection against serious illness now and in the future. If any routine vaccinations are delayed, this puts babies at unnecessary risk at a time they are most vulnerable. For example, babies younger than 6 months are at the highest risk for serious complications from whooping cough; that’s why vaccination against whooping cough starts at 2 months of age.
Several doses of some vaccines are required to build up lasting immunity. This is why it is important that babies attend all of their appointments or they will only be partially protected and could still pick up the disease.
WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS MISSED VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS?
If vaccinations have been missed or delayed it is important an appointment is made with their GP as soon as possible to catch up. Missed or incomplete vaccinations in childhood means children
Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule
Babies born on or after 1 October 2016
Age Vaccination
2
months
Visit 1
6 in 1+PCV+MenB+Rotavirus
3 Injections+Oral Drops
4
months
Visit 2
6 in 1+MenB+Rotavirus 2 Injections+Oral Drops
6
months
Visit 3
6 in 1+PCV+MenC
3 Injections
No Rotavirus vaccine on or after 8 months 0 days 12
months
Visit 4
MMR+MenB 2 Injections
13
months
Visit 5
Hib/MenC+PCV
2 Injections
Remember to give your baby 3 doses of liquid infant paracetamol after the 2 and 4 month MenB vaccines.
1. Give 2.5 mls (60 mg) of liquid infant paracetamol at the time of the immunisation or shortly after. 2. Give a second dose of 2.5 mls (60 mg) 4 to 6 hours after the first dose. 3. Give a third dose of 2.5 mls (60 mg) 4 to 6 hours after the second dose.
Remember five visits
to your GP (doctor) www.immunisation.ie
are not protected when they are older. Some infections are more serious in teenagers or adults than in children. For example, mumps in teenage boys or young men may cause swelling of the testicles and if a woman contracts rubella in the early stages of pregnancy this can cause major birth defects in their baby.
WHERE CAN I FOUND OUT MORE INFORMATION?
For more information, read ‘Your Child’s Immunisation: A Guide for Parents’ published by the HSE National Immunisation O ce. https://bit.ly/PCIPBook
