Society can only advance by building on strengths, not by exploiting its weaknesses. The statistics paint a different picture about the performance of Irish medicine. In 1982 the life expectancy for men and women was 70.1 years and 75.6 years respectively, whereas in 1997 the corresponding figures were 73.2 years and 78.7 years. In a mere 15 years the application of advances in medical science has given 3 years of additional life to the citizens of this state. Infant mortality, another very sensitive indicator of quality healthcare, is at the all time low 5.6 per 1000.
Cardiovascular disease is the country s leading cause of death.
There have been striking developments in coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty, acute stroke units, treatment of hyper tension and the recent cardiovascular strategy initiative. During the same time period the mortality from cerebrovascular disease has fallen from 160 per 100,000 to 100 per 100,000. Cancer and its management is a major challenge to our hospitals. There are approximately 12,000 new cases annually. The impact on the diagnostic, surgical, medical, psychological and palliative services are easy to understand.