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Understanding Irish Health Policy

Module Name	Understanding Irish Health Policy (10ECTS)
Module Lecturer	Dr Catherine Elliott O’Dare elliot@tcd.ie
Module aims	Health care provision is fundamental to societal wellbeing. Health policy defines health goals at the international, national, or local level and stipulates the decisions, plans and actions to drive and achieve these goals (World Health Organisation). Universally, health care provision is conceived and experienced as being in crises and a ‘problem’ as governments, policy makers and practitioners grabble with issues of funding and provision.Students taking this module will be introduced to health policy and health care provision in the context of the broader social policy landscape by exploring the social determinants of health. The main concepts underpinning health care policy and provision will then be critically interrogated i.e., equality, equity, needs and rights and how these concepts figure in healthcare provision in Ireland and beyond. The evolution of the Irish healthcare system and policy solutions will then be critically explored – addressing such questions as why Ireland does not have an NHS (universal) healthcare system? Moving on then to interrogate contemporary Irish health policy developments, students will become conversant with the two-tier Irish health system and outcomes through engaging with literature and empirical evidence. Finally, students will critically engage with the current policy solutions designed to achieve an equitable and efficient health care system and deliver universal healthcare for all Irish citizens.
Module learning Outcomes	On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the structural and social determinants of health, and how they contribute to health disparities and inequities. Critically analyse key influences, principles and approaches contributing to the formation and evolution of Irish health policy. Understand and critically apply a needs and equality/equity based ‘lens’ to contemporary Irish Health policy responses and preferences. Frame and critically analyse the two-tiered Irish health system, policy developments and outcomes. Vigorously interrogate and critically appraise the current health policy solution for achieving universal health care in Ireland for all citizens.
Module Content	Social Determinants of Health Health Policy concepts - inequality, equity, needs and rights Health care systems – models, trends, and issues Irish Health systems and policy – historical context Evolution of Irish Health care; 1920s – 1990s Irish Health Policy reform; 1990s onwards Irish Health Policy solutions - addressing inequality, access, and a two-tier health care system Sláintecare – a 21st century pathway to universal health care provision in Ireland? Critically appraisal of progress towards universal healthcare provision in Ireland in a global context.
Teaching and learning format	In – person. Two one-hour lectures will take place per week; in – person, on campus. Students will be expected to participate in peer-learning and in-class interactive exercises.

Assessment	3 x online reflective memos ( approx. 200 words each) = 20% Written assignment (3,000 words including referencing) = 80%
Re-assessment	Written assessment (3,000 words including referencing) = 100% Maximum grade attainment 50% unless otherwise agreed
Key Texts.	Bonner, A. (2018) Social determinants of health: an interdisciplinary approach to social inequality and wellbeing. Bristol: Policy Press. Burke, S. (2009) Irish apartheid: Healthcare inequality in Ireland. Dublin: New Island. Considine, M., and Dukelow, F (2017) Irish Social Policy. A Critical Introduction. 2nd Ed. Wall, A., and Owen., B (2020) Health Policy. London and New York: Routledge. 2nd Ed. Wren, M-A (2003) Unhealthy state: Anatomy of a sick society. Dublin: New Island. The above books are available electronically or in print at Trinity Library. Additional readings for each week will be assigned during term.
Useful web-based content	https://www.esri.ie/ https://www.hse.ie/eng/ https://www.lenus.ie https://www.oecd.org/ireland/ https://www.who.int/ https://www.hrb.ie/publications/ https://www.socialjustice.ie/content/taxonomy/tags/social-policy https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/a60069-budget-2020/ https://www.gov.ie/en/help/departments/ https://www.ihrec.ie/ health1/coll-9-health/
Relevant Journals	Health Policy International Journal of Health Policy Journal of Social Policy Journal of European Social Policy Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy Social Policy & Administration Social Policy and Society DATABASES (accessed through TCD’s search engine STELLA): http://stella.catalogue.tcd.ie/iii/encore/;jsessionid=D258E5580820239721CE917DFE88C6A6?lang=eng) JSTOR Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA) Web of Science Proquest Abstracts Database Humanities & Social Sciences Index ScienceDirect