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Introduction to the HSPA

The Health System Performance Assessment (HSPA) is a reliable framework that provides an overall view on the performance of Ireland’s Health system.

This framework looks at outcomes, resources and workforce in the health sector of the country, but also focuses on:

  • the equity and level of access to health services;

  • the affordability and quality of the care provide;

  • the efficiency and safety of the health services;

  • the information systems in place for better coordination; and

  • the level of continuity of health services.

A platform has been developed with available data sources to provide a visualisation of the framework. The below HSPA platform is an important tool in assessing how the National health system is progressing, both over time and internationally. It allows users to interact with the framework and get key trends on particular areas of interest.

The Department of Health (DoH) developed the HSPA framework with the assistance of the European Commission and in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Health Service Executive (HSE). This platform is the first prototype version, with updates in both content and functionalities to be included within future platform versions. More information on the development phase of the HSPA framework can be found here.

Using the Platform

Along with providing data on the HSPA framework’s indicators, the platform contains a number of functionalities to enable and enhance data understanding, comparison and assist in further research. In this section, a brief overview of the various levels of information and functionalities one can find on this platform is provided.

Table of Contents - An interactive table of contents is available on the left hand side or at the top (depending on the type of device used) to help move from one dimension or domain to another, without needing to scroll through the entire page.

Indicator Code - For ease of reference and future use, each indicator has been assigned a unique reference code, depending on its placement in the framework. This reference code will remain permanently assigned to that specific indicator, irrespective of future changes made to the framework. This will enable future indicator referencing, without having to search for the entire indicator title. For example, the indicator A.2.1 refers to the first indicator of the second sub-domain of domain A. The Interactive Indicator List and the Scheduled Updates sections below make use of these codes.

Interactive Indicator List - Ideal for first-time users, the interactive list enables the exploration of what indicators are contained in the platform, with different levels and types of filter and navigation options included in the table.

Scheduled Updates - This section provides information on when the platform was last updated, as well as the schedule of the next updates by indicator code.

Dimension and Domain Sections - A brief introduction to each dimension and domain is provided when relevant to the framework’s structure, providing a brief overview of the content within each section.

Indicator Title - Each indicator is given an official title as designed by the experts engaged during the development stage (refer to Introduction to the HSPA section above for more information).

Key Terms - Accompanied with the search_icon icon, each indicator contains some key terms to enable a more efficient search for indicators of interest through the page’s search function (alternatively press ctrl+f to enable the page’s search function).

Indicator Data - Each indicator, when available, contains a brief description of the data provided on the platform, along with the data visualization (such as; graph, chart or table). The data visualization is also interactive, such that hovering over the chart will provide users with the values of that particular point. In addition, the legends of the charts (where applicable) can be tailored by clicking on the legend label to filter out data points. Indicators for which data is not currently available is noted accordingly in red text.

Notes Box - For certain indicators, a notes box can also be found before the indicator’s visualization, in which important information on the data being displayed is provided.

Indicator Data Source - Under each indicator’s visualization, the source of the data used in that particular indicator is provided.

Data Source Link - Accompanied with the info_icon icon, this functionality provides the official link to the data source and contact details in case of the need for further information.

Data Download - Accompanied with the download_icon icon, this functionality provides the link that will enable data filtering and data download into a csv format file for further use.

Metadata Information - Accompanied with the metadata_icon icon, this functionality provides information on how the data used in the particular indicator came about, any definitions used, comparability issues, data coverage, etc.

Policy Box - At the end of each indicator a policy box is found, in which all relevant policies to the indicator that were active at the time or are currently active are listed, along with their links. In addition, certain legislative (or other implemented) measures can also be found mapped on the indicator’s visualization to provide context to the data being shown.

Interactive Indicator List

The following interactive list allows you to view and search for indicators of interest within Ireland’s HSPA platform. Different navigation options and levels of searches are available by inputting any key words. You can use the indicator’s unique reference code under the Indicator Code column to find its location in the platform content below or by using the Table of Contents.

Scheduled Updates

The platform was last updated on 03/03/2025.

Indicator updates will be made depending on the indicator’s frequency and latest data availability. Data presented within this platform is of the ownership of the respective indicated data source, where the same source is solely and entirely responsible for its availability, frequency, quality and overall data governance.

The following is the planned schedule of updates occurring during this year, along with the effected indicators (using the indicator code).

March: A.2.3., A.3.