Quarterly National Household Survey

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1 30 May 2002 Type of medical cover held 50 Quarterly National Household Survey Health Third Quarter Over a quarter of adults covered by medical card Medical Card Only 0 Private Health Insurance Only Both Neither Almost 26 of persons aged 18 years and over indicated that they were covered by a medical card while a further 46 said that they had private health insurance. In addition, just 2 indicated that they had both thus leaving over a quarter of the adult population without either a card or private cover. These figures are based on a survey module on health, which was included in the Quarterly National Household Survey in the third quarter of The type of medical cover held varied significantly with age. Approximately 70 of persons aged 65 and over had a medical card compared with only one in six of those under 45 years of age. On the other hand, less than 7 of the oldest age group had neither a card nor health insurance, compared with 43 of adults under 25 years of age. Private health insurance was more common amongst those in the middle age groups, at around 57 of those aged between 35 and 54. Just over 31 of those over 65, and 38 of those under 25, had private cover. See table 1 and graph. Around 10 of all persons in employment stated that they were medical card holders. This compares with 47 of unemployed persons and 50 of persons not economically active. In contrast, almost 57 of the employed had health insurance compared with less than 20 of the unemployed and just over 30 of the inactive population. See table 1. Published by the Central Statistics Office, Ireland. Ardee Road Dublin 6 Ireland LoCall: Skehard Road Cork Ireland Tel: Tel: Fax: Fax: Both offices may be contacted through any of these telephone numbers. CSO on the Web: Director General: Donal Garvey Enquiries: Labour Market Statistics Direct Dial (021) labour@cso.ie Queries and Sales Information Section, ext 5032 information@cso.ie Central Statistics Office The contents of this release may be quoted provided the source is given clearly and accurately. Reproduction for own or internal use is permitted. Ref 115/2002 Usage of medical services correlated with age Table 2 clearly shows a strong correlation between age and the usage of health services. Not surprisingly, those aged 65 and over in proportionate terms had the greatest resort to using all the health services identified in the survey, with their rate of usage being approximately twice the average for all other adults combined. This age factor also needs to be considered when examining some of the other profiles provided in the table. For example, in relation to the analysis by economic status the grouping with the highest proportions of its population availing of the different services is the not economically active group which is comprised of to a large extent by the 65 + age category. Almost a fifth of all persons surveyed in the June to August quarter of 2001 had consulted with their GP or family doctor in the previous two weeks. The consultation rate increased with age, with 12 of all persons in the 18 to 24 year age group having consulted their doctor compared to 22 in the 55 to 64 year age group and almost 35 in the 65 years and over age group. The results also showed that men were less likely than women to seek advice from their GP or family doctor; the consultation rates being 14.6 and 23.4 respectively. See table 2 and graph. For more information contact Nicola Tickner on or Kieran O'Shea on

2 Persons aged 18 or over that consulted with their GP/family doctor in previous two weeks Just over 6 of all persons interviewed had been for other health appointments in the previous two weeks. This again increased with age, from 3.5 of persons aged 18 to 24 to 10.5 of all persons aged 65 and over. See table 2. Four percent of adults reported that they were on an outpatient waiting list, compared with 1.6 on an inpatient list and 1.3 waiting for a day care procedure or investigation. See table 2. In all cases medical card holders, reflecting to some extent their older age profile, used the medical services to a greater extent than others. Over a third visited their GP in the previous fortnight while 10 had other medical appointments. At the other end of the scale, those without any medical cover, who tend to be younger, had the lowest recourse to using the services. See table and over s Medical card holders, and those without medical cover, wait for longer Almost 20 of adults on outpatient waiting lists were waiting for 6 months or more and 7 were there for over a year. Nearly a quarter of medical card holders on the outpatient lists were waiting for over 6 months compared with 10 in the case of those with private cover. See table 3. The waiting time on inpatient lists was considerably longer. Over 40 of adults were waiting for six months or more and, more strikingly, almost a quarter (23.2) were on the lists for over a year. Once again those on medical cards had longer to wait than those with health insurance in the case of the former, 46 were on the lists for 6 months or more compared with 26 of the latter. It is, however, notable that in the case of inpatient waiting lists those without a medical card or health insurance were waiting the longest with 60 on the lists for 6 months or more. See table 4 and graph. Length of time on inpatient waiting list al differences in length of time on waiting lists Outpatient waiting times varied throughout the regions; the differences ranged from 3.6 of persons in the Mid-East waiting for 12 months or more, to 12.1 of persons in the West. This compares to the national average of 7.1. See table 3. On average, 23.2 of all persons on inpatient waiting lists had been waiting for 12 months or more. This varied by region from 17 in the Border region to almost 30 in the midlands. See table 4. Hypertension and Asthma to the fore less than 1 1to3 3to6 6to9 9to12 12or more Months waiting Medical card Private medical cover 10 0 Almost one third of the population (30.4) indicated that they have, or at one point have, suffered from one or more specified health conditions. To a large extent this is dominated by the 65 + category where almost 70 of those in that age grouping fell into that category. See table 6. Hypertension was the most prevalent condition reported in proportional terms with approximately 7 of the 18 + population indicating that they have at one point or another suffered from the condition. Asthma, at 5, was the second most common condition followed by Arthritis (rheumatoid) with an incidence rate of almost 4. See table 6. Good perception of own health Perception of own health was good, with almost two thirds stating that their own health was either excellent or very good. Just over 2 stated that their health was poor while a further 9 rated it to be fair. For those aged 65 and over, nearly 65 rated their health to be either good or fair with 6 describing it to be poor. See table 7. 2

3 Table 1 Persons 1 aged 18 and over, classified by type of medical cover Medical Card Private Health Both Neither Not Stated Total Only Insurance Only State Border Midlands * West * Dublin * Mid-East * Mid-West * South-East * South-West * Male * Female * years * years * years * years * years * years & over * Single * Married * Separated * Widowed * In employment * Unemployed * Not economically active * See background notes 3

4 Table 2 Percentage of persons 1 aged 18 and over classified by use of the health services outpatient inpatient day care procedure/ consultations with GP/ other health appointment waiting list waiting list investigation waiting list family doctor in last two weeks in last two weeks 4 State Border Midlands West Dublin Mid-East Mid-West South-East South-West Male Female years years years years years years & over Single Married Separated Widowed In employment Unemployed Not economically active Medical Cover 2 Medical card holders only Private medical cover Both Neither , 2 See background notes

5 Table 3 Persons 1 aged 18 and over on an outpatient 2 hospital waiting list classified by how long they have been waiting less than 1 month 1 month to less 3 months to less 6 months to less 9 months to less 12 months and Not stated than 3 months than 6 months than 9 months than 12 months more 5 State * Border * Midlands * West * Dublin * Mid-East * Mid-West * South-East South-West * Male * Female * years * years * years * years * years * 65 years & over * Single * Married * Separated * Widowed * In employment * Unemployed * Not economically active * Medical Cover 3 Medical card holders * Private medical cover * Both * Neither * 1, 3 See background notes 2 e.g. visit to a clinic to be seen by a consultant or specialist

6 Table 4 Persons 1 aged 18 and over on an inpatient 2 hospital waiting list classified by how long they have been waiting less than 1 month 1 month to less 3 months to less 6 months to less 9 months to less 12 months and Not Stated than 3 months than 6 months than 9 months than 12 months more 6 State * Border * Midlands * West * Dublin * Mid-East * Mid-West * South-East * South-West * Male * Female * years * 14.6 * years * years * years * years * 65 years & over * Single * Married * Separated * Widowed * In employment * Unemployed * Not economically active * Medical Cover 3 Medical card holders * Private medical cover * Both * Neither * 1, 3 See background notes 2 e.g. for surgery requiring overnight stay

7 Table 5 Persons 1 aged 18 and over on a day care procedure or investigation 2 waiting list, classified by how long they have been waiting less than 1 month 1 month to less 3 months to less 6 months to less 9 months to less 12 months and Not stated than 3 months than 6 months than 9 months than 12 months more 7 State * Border * Midlands * 6.3 * West * Dublin * Mid-East * Mid-West * South-East * South-West * Male * Female * years * * * years * years * years * years * 65 years & over * Single * Married * Separated * Widowed * In employment * Unemployed * * Not economically active * Medical Cover 3 Medical card holders * Private health insurance * Both * * * * Neither * 1, 3 2 See background notes e.g. appointments for a test or minor operations that will not need an overnight stay

8 Table 6 Persons 1 aged 18 and over, classified by whether they have, or have ever suffered from, any of the following health conditions Angina Asthma Arthritis Osteo Arthritis Cancer Cancer Chronic Diabetes Gallstones Heart Attack (of the hip) (rheumatoid) (skin) (other) bronchitis State Border * Midlands * West * Dublin Mid-East Mid-West * South-East South-West Male Female years * * * * * * years * 5.7 * 0.5 * * years * years years years & over Single * Married Separated Widowed In employment * Unemployed * * Not economically active Medical Card 2 Medical card holders Private health insurance Both Neither * , 2 See background notes

9 Table 6 continued- Persons 1 aged 18 and over, classified by whether they have, or have ever suffered from, any of the following health conditions Ulcer (leg) Ulcer One or more Hypertension Kidney Osteoporosis Stroke requiring gastric/peptic/ Underactive Other health stones dressing duodenal thyroid conditions 9 State Border Midlands West Dublin Mid-East Mid-West South-East South-West Male * * Female years 0.5 * * * * 0.6 * years * * * years * * * years * years years & over Single * Married Separated Widowed In employment * * * Unemployed 3.4 * * * * Not economically active Medical Cover 2 Medical card holders Private health insurance * Both Neither * * , 2 Seebackgroundnotes

10 Table 7 Persons 1 aged 18 and over, classified by how they perceive their own health Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor Other 2 Total State Border * Midlands * West * Dublin * Mid-East * Mid-West * South-East * South-West * Male * Female * years * years * years * years * years * years & over Single * Married * Separated * Widowed * In employment * Unemployed * Not economically active * Medical Cover 3 Medical card holders only * Private health insurance only * Both * Neither * , 3 2 See background notes Includes don't know and not stated 10

11 Central Statistics Office Quarterly National Household Survey Reference period Purpose of survey Questionnaire Medical Cover Background Notes The questions on health were included in the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) in the three months from June to August While the primary purpose of the QNHS is to collect information on employment and unemployment, it also includes modules on social topics of interest from time to time. The health module was asked to all persons aged 18 years and over who were participating directly in the survey. Percentages in this release have been calculated with respect to all such persons. The questions covered included consultations with GP or family doctor, other health appointments, waiting lists, private medical insurance, medical cards, perception of health and health conditions. The medical cover classifications were based on two questions: do you have private medical insurance which covers all or part of the cost of any hospital treatment and are you covered by a medical card. The ILO used in these results distinguishes the following main subgroups of the population aged 18 or over: In Employment: Persons who worked in the week before the survey for one hour or more for payment or profit, including work on the family farm or business and all persons who had a job but were not at work because of illness, holidays etc. in the week. Unemployed: Persons who, in the week before the survey, were without work and available for work and had taken specific steps, in the preceding four weeks, to find work. Inactive Population (not in labour force); All other persons. The labour force comprises persons employed plus unemployed. s The regional classifications in this release are based on the NUTS (Nomenclature of Territorial Units) classification used by Eurostat. The NUTS3 regions correspond to the eight al Authorities established under the Local Government Act, 1991 (al Authorities) (Establishment) Order, 1993, which came into operation on 1 January The NUTS2 regions, which were proposed by Government and agreed by Eurostat in 1999, are groupings of the NUTS3 regions. The composition of the regions is set out below. Border, Midlands and Western NUTS2 Eastern and Southern NUTS2 Border Cavan Dublin Dublin Donegal Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Leitrim Fingal Louth South Dublin Monaghan Sligo Mid-East Kildare Meath Midland Laoighis Wicklow Longford Offaly Mid-West Clare Westmeath Limerick County Borough Limerick County West Galway County Borough Tipperary North Riding Galway County Mayo South-East Carlow Roscommon Kilkenny Tipperary South Riding Waterford County Borough Waterford County Wexford South-West Cork County Borough Cork County Kerry 11

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