The number of managers and administrators working in the health service has grown by almost 35 per cent since 2019, new figures show.
The increase is bigger than for any other staff category, according to the latest Sláintecare progress report.
This is despite a freeze on the recruitment of new managers and administrators, which began in mid-2023.
At the end of March, 166,997 people were working in the health service, or 148,293 whole-time equivalents (WTEs). Total staff working for the Health Service Executive or State-funded Section 39 hospitals and agencies increased by 26,000 between 2019 and 2023.
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There was a 27 per cent increase in medical and dental staff, 24 per cent increase in health and social care professionals and a 21 per cent in nursing and midwifery.
The number of WTEs in patient and client care rose by almost 15 per cent, while general support staff increased by 9 per cent.
As of last week, 2,195 medical consultants have signed up for the new public-only consultant contract, including 462 new entrants. This represents more than half of all consultants.
The new contract means there will be more senior decision-makers in hospitals out of hours and at weekends, according to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.
The report, for 2021-23, highlights the “unprecedented progress” being made in transforming the health and social care services, said Mr Donnelly.
Waiting lists have fallen over the period covered by the report; by 4.1 per cent in 2022, and 2.7 per cent last year.
There was a 32 per cent reduction in patients waiting longer than 12 months in 2023, while trolley numbers fell by 22 per cent in the second half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
“Aligning with the programme for government commitment, record levels of investment have enabled the delivery of new care pathways, new facilities, new technologies and new ways of working that will enable health and social care professionals to respond to the growing health needs of our population,” said Mr Donnelly.
“Significant progress has been achieved to ensure our health and social care services are treating more patients than ever before. The significant public investment, including in our community and primary services means that more people are being treated at home and in the community.”
Other improvements highlighted in the report include: an increase in the number of primary care centres from 138 in 2020 to 174 today; eligibility for a GP visit card extended to more than 500,000 people; abolition of hospital inpatient charges and expansion of free contraception; and 1,182 new hospital beds since 2020 and 72 more critical care beds.
Mr Donnelly acknowledged there was “much more to do” on the road to universal healthcare for all.
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