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HIA survey shows private health insurance ‘not value for money’

Research carried out by Kantar Millward Brown on behalf of the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) has shown that PHI (private health insurance) is deemed as a necessity rather than a luxury, but it is not viewed as value for money. Only 27 per cent of people believe that it is good value for money, which is an 8 per cent decrease on 2019 statistics as they felt premium price increases are’ unjustifiable’. 53 per cent of the respondents now claim to have PHI, which is up 5 per cent on the 2019 survey data. The research has also shown that insurance has been relinquished more among the female population, rather than men.

The perceived lack of value may be behind a significant increase in those who have switched (35 per cent) compared to previous surveys (19 per cent). However, most consumers still do not switch, and most will only switch once. One in four people have considered switching cover but haven’t followed through due to fear of losing benefits, loyalty to their insurer as well as respondents saying that is it both ‘difficult’ and ‘very difficult’ to switch. In comparison to the 2019 data, over half of the respondents have not changed cover and have left their level of cover the same as they are satisfied with their current provider, it has been discovered that, on average, savings of up to 30 per cent would be required to encourage consumers to consider switching. Further results from the survey revealed:

• Most of the respondents who take out PHI believe one of the main benefits of having it allows you to skip queues, therefore not needing to avail of health services in the public sector.

• 63 per cent of consumers view public health services in Ireland as inadequate with a severe lack of access and longer waiting lists. • The main reason 42 per cent of the respondents no longer have PHI is that is it too expensive and they cannot afford the high rates on premiums.

• Research has shown that 60 per cent of the survey’s respondents have not heard of Lifetime Community Rating, with half of those who took part in the survey saying that the Lifetime Community Rating scheme would not attract them to take out private health insurance.

The full results of the HIA Consumer Survey 2021 can be found on the HIA website www.hia.ie

You can also compare plans by calling call the consumer helpline on 1850 929 166 to find out about the health insurance options available to you.

Valencia named the healthiest city in the world

Valencia has once again been named the healthiest city in the world according to Money.co.uk. Crowned consecutively for a second year, the study evaluates how cities prioritise the health of its locals and visitors through several key factors.

Analysing what contributes to a healthy lifestyle, seven distinct areas were taken into account during the study, including: obesity levels, life expectancy, pollution levels, health care, safety, crime rate and hours of sunlight. New for 2022, the study also looks at other aspects such as: number of toilets per 100,000 inhabitants, health spending, percentage of the population with access to health care and the prevalence of mental and substance use disorders

Excellent health care Valencia holds a large proportion of industry health care specialists who work in centres equipped with some of the ‘most advanced instruments and technology in the sector’. Leaders in Oncology, the city is currently awaiting the opening of the Instituto Valenciano de Oncología (IVO), named for two years as one of the 50 best cancer centers in the world. The study indicates that the average life expectancy of a Valencian is 83.5 years. The quiet lifestyle, combined with a healthy Mediterranean diet, low levels of pollution and crime rate, make the quality of life ideal for maintaining good health. Mary O’Rourke Mary O’Rourke is indisposed and unable to contribute her column for this issue.

We, and we are sure, our readers, wish Mary a speedy recovery and look forward to reading her column in the next issue

New research could signal a breakthrough for a number of cancer treatments

There’s new hope for people diagnosed with oesophageal, gastric and colorectal cancers as Breakthrough Cancer Research (Breakthrough), University College Cork (UCC) and Cork University Hospital (CUH) have announced new cancer research that has unlocked why some cancers are drug resistant, which has led to a new chemotherapy treatment incorporating Lithium. This breakthrough could improve the outcomes for (approx.) 3905 people who are diagnosed in Ireland every year with these diseases, which are responsible for almost 1750 deaths annually.

The research, which was funded by Breakthrough and led by Dr. Sharon McKenna at UCC, has found that adding lithium to the chemotherapy regime blocks the cancer cells’ ability to repair the internal damage normally inflicted by chemotherapy. This makes the chemotherapy more effective and reduces the risk of the cancer returning again. Lithium has been used before as a mood stabiliser in the treatment of neurological disorders – but not in chemotherapy, so this is a novel concept that is being tested in a Phase I clinical trial.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related death in Ireland (1010 annually) and there are more than 2819 new cases each year. Oesophageal and stomach cancers have two of the lowest five year survival rates at just 24 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

Olympians urge people to rise to the challenge for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s 65 Roses Day

In a challenge fit for an Olympian, Natalya Coyle and Arthur Lanigan O’Keeffe are urging the people of Ireland to go for purple and undertake a 65 Roses Challenge for Cystic Fibro sis Ireland’s 65 Roses Day on Friday April 8. The husband-and-wife team are asking people to take up any 65-themed challenge – from walking 65,000 steps, to running 6.5k, or cycling 65k, the sky is the limit. Full details on the 65 Roses Challenge, or to donate, can be found at www.65Roses.ie . For the first time in three years, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland’s annual fundraising appeal will once again see the country come up roses for 65 Roses Day. In a show of flower power, volunteers will be out in force selling purple rose pins in towns and villages the length and breadth of the country, as well as in shopping centres and Dunnes Stores outlets. People with CF experience a range of symptoms including frequent lung infections, persistent coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, along with poor growth and weight gain in spite of a good appetite. Over time people with CF accumulate significant damage and scar tissue in their lungs which leads to end-stage lung disease requiring a double lung transplant if possible. www.65Roses.ie.

Incognito 2022, Ireland’s Biggest Online Art Sale in aid of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation

One of the mystery painting to be auctioned

Incognito 2022, Ireland’s biggest online art sale that sees artists donating their art ‘incognito’ for a great cause, will take place this year on Thursday, April 21. What’s different about Incognito, unlike other art sales, is that the buyer has no idea who the artist is until after the sale closes and the mask drops, when the artist’s name is only then unveiled.

Now in its sixth year, with over 1,500 artists taking part, not just from Ireland but internationally, the €60 price for each postcard-sized artwork supports the work of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation and translates into home nursing care hours for 412 children with highly complex medical conditions around the country, including end-of-life care. For the buyer, of course, this may also be a very shrewd investment decision too!

Among the leading Irish artists taking part in Incognito 2022 will be Mick O'Dea, Peter Curling, Ange Bell, Adrian Shane, Martin Gale, Maria Levinge, Helen Steele, Sylvia Parkinson-Brown, Martin Mooney, Sheila McCarron, Bridget Flinn, Ruthie Ashenhurst, Una Sealey, Maser, Vincent Devine, Mark Thompson, Shane O’Driscoll, Abigail O’Brien and Robert Ballagh. Some surprise celebrity guest artists are also on board for Incognito 2022 – art lovers and Incognito fans are encouraged to keep an eye out on Jack & Jill and Incognito social channels for updates. Supporting Jack & Jill Families All funds raised through Incognito will go to support Jack & Jill’s in-home specialist nursing care, respite support and end-of-life care for children with highly complex and life-limiting medical conditions under six years of age. This includes children with brain injury, severe cerebral palsy, as well as those with a genetic diagnosis or a neurodevelopmental condition yet to be diagnosed. To date, Incognito has raised a total of €625,000 which equates to a total of 34,722 hours of care – and a lot of support for the 412 Jack & Jill families who are in communities right across Ireland. For more information, visit www.jackandjill.ie

Blackrock Clinic’s new robot offers ‘more precision and accuracy’ for joint replacement surgery

The Blackrock Clinic has introduced a new precision robot for joint replacement surgery, in a move which could have a ‘major impact’ on how such surgeries are performed in the coming years.

Stryker’s Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery device is said to offer advantages over traditional surgery as its software is individualised to allow more accuracy during a joint replacement procedure.

Mr. Niall Hogan, a consultant in orthopaedic surgery, is the first of a team of surgeons at the Blackrock Clinic who has used the new robot. He believes that the technology could play an important role in the surgical field in the coming years, thus benefiting patients and surgeons alike.

‘Performing knee surgery using Mako helps ensure there is less dissection and therefore less trauma to the soft tissues, and what we have seen so far in Blackrock is very positive in terms of patient recovery and knee range of movement post-operatively.

‘Not only is the device more accurate than traditional techniques during surgery, it allows surgeons to pre-plan procedures and deliver that more personalised care to the patient. As more surgeons are trained in the use of this type of robotic system for joint replacement, an ever-greater number of surgical procedures will likely be robot-assisted, not just for knee surgery but other joints too’.

Similar equipment is already used extensively in the UK within the National Health Service and major medical institutions, and research published in the British Medical Journal has stated that ‘robotic-assisted TKA surgeries are more capable of improving mechanical alignment and prosthesis implantation when compared with conventional surgery.