Health Act 1970 The Health Act 1970 modernised the eligibility criteria. The dispensary system was replaced by the General Medical Services system. It provided for a choice of doctor system for those eligible for free GP services. GPs are self-employed and provide services to patients either on a paid basis or under the General Medical Services medical card system. The legislation provided new criteria in […]
Eligibility for Hospital In 1991, a two-tier system of eligibility for hospital inpatient and outpatient services was introduced. It provided for category 1, medical card holders and category 2, all others. The population is divided into category 1 and category 2. Category 1 comprises medical card holders and dependants who are entitled to all health services free of charge. This covers one-third of the population. […]
The Health Boards The Health Act 1970 established the eight Health Boards. They were responsible for the provision of health care in their area. They comprise local councillors, nominees of the Minister and representatives of health professional organizations. The 1970 legislation made the Hospitals Council the central body responsible for the organization and development of hospitals. The Hospitals Council was responsible for certain appointments in […]
Department of Health The modern Irish Health System originated in legislation passed after the Second World War. The legislation provided for a basic system of healthcare, which was in no way as comprehensive as the UK National Health Service, founded shortly earlier. The National Health Service was established in the UK by the Labour Government, which assumed office after World War II. The post-war period […]
Historically, there were a large number of patients in District Mental Hospitals. At the end of 1950s, over 20,000 inpatients were in mental hospitals throughout the country. These institutions were the successors of the lunatic asylums, and provided little in the way of care or treatment. District asylums had been established in the late 19th century and persons with mental health issues had been moved […]
A key initial priority of the Irish Free State was to provide for the abolition or transformation of the workhouses. This was undertaken initially in temporary legislation 1923 and made permanent in 1925. New Boards of Health and Public Assistance were established. They took over responsibility for county and district hospitals as well as county homes. The Public Hospitals Act in 1933 established the Hospitals […]
Pre-Poor Law The present-day health service developed a number of different tracks in a relatively ad hoc manner. The first voluntary hospitals originated in the 18th century. Several more, principally in Dublin, emerged in the 19th century. Many were founded by religious orders. Apart from voluntary hospitals, there was no general hospital service as such. By the 1830s, a number of county infirmaries and a […]
Dispensaries to GMS The dispensary system had been introduced under the Poor Relief Act 1851. The country had been divided into dispensary districts, each with a salaried doctor known as a District Medical Officer. The doctor could also offer private practice services outside of the dispensary. The dispensary system had not been expanded in Dublin in line with the increase in population. The Health Act 1970 […]