How AI Could Save Ireland Billions and Slash Healthcare Waiting Lists

A new AI-powered analysis by Health System Intelligence Limited (HSi) is pointing to significant inefficiencies within Ireland’s healthcare system. According to findings from HSi’s Insight™ platform, the country’s healthcare spending could be substantially reduced, offering the possibility for more efficient resource allocation while improving patient outcomes.

A New Perspective on Healthcare Costs

HSi’s analysis suggests that Ireland’s current healthcare spending, which stands at €22.5 billion, might be significantly higher than necessary. The AI platform’s model calculates that the healthcare system could operate effectively with a budget of €8.5 billion—or potentially as low as €4.7 billion if further optimizations are implemented.

These figures, HSi indicates, are based on population health demand rather than conventional budgetary allocations.

Adding to the complexity, the report notes that nearly 47% of Ireland’s population holds private health insurance, paying an average premium of €1,322 per person annually. This raises concerns that many individuals are effectively paying twice for healthcare services—through taxes and private insurance.

Waiting Lists and System Strain

Beyond financial inefficiencies, HSi’s research also highlights concerns about long waiting lists within the public healthcare system. According to the findings, approximately 30% of patients are waiting more than six months for outpatient appointments. This backlog, the analysis suggests, may be contributing to a strained system that struggles to keep up with population demands.

Professor Lindsay Sales of the HSi Advisory Board commented on these findings, noting that the scale of excess spending was unexpected. The analysis, hesuggests, confirms the need for significant reform, particularly as Ireland faces future demographic changes that could exacerbate current challenges.

Global Comparisons

The HSi report draws attention to how Ireland’s healthcare system compares to other nations undergoing reform. Countries such as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, for instance, are moving toward universal health insurance models, yet their healthcare spending per capita remains considerably lower than Ireland’s. HSi’s Insight™ platform suggests that these nations, despite undergoing transformations, manage to avoid the levels of excess spending seen in Ireland.

According to Gary Burden, CFO of HSi, the comparison highlights opportunities for Ireland to adopt similar reforms. He notes that Insight™ identifies areas where immediate cost savings—estimated at €2.5 billion annually—might be achieved, provided there is a coherent strategy in place.

A Potential Roadmap for Reform

While the figures presented by HSi are compelling, the path to achieving such savings remains complex. The analysis suggests that reducing hospital and primary care spending, improving workforce efficiency, and reallocating resources more effectively could lead to substantial budget reductions. The current healthcare workforce, for example, numbers around 160,000 employees, compared to the 72,000 the report estimates would be needed for a more streamlined system.

Sales also suggested that aligning healthcare funding with actual population needs, rather than historical precedents, could be key to making the system more sustainable in the long term.

Looking Ahead

Though the findings from HSi’s Insight™ platform are not without their challenges, they offer a fresh perspective on the ongoing conversation about healthcare reform in Ireland. The potential savings identified—along with opportunities to reduce patient wait times—could pave the way for more efficient and cost-effective healthcare delivery if policymakers decide to act on these insights.

As HSi continues its work, similar reports are expected to be released for healthcare systems across the globe. For Ireland, the Insight™ platform offers a glimpse of what might be possible, should the government choose to pursue a path of AI-informed reform. The question remains whether these findings will translate into tangible change for both taxpayers and patients alike.