The Health Service Executive (HSE) has released its 2025 annual report, offering a detailed snapshot of how Ireland’s public health system is evolving under growing demand and structural reform. The new HSE report highlights service expansion, digital progress and regional reorganisation, while also acknowledging continued pressure across hospitals, community care and disability services.
Published on 16 July 2026, the report outlines how the Health Service Executive (HSE) managed performance, planning and financial control during 2025. It also places major emphasis on Sláintecare reforms, especially the full rollout of six Health Regions and 20 Integrated Health Areas designed to bring more local, coordinated care to patients and families.
Health Service Executive (HSE) report points to major system reform
According to HSE Board Chairman Ciarán Devane, 2025 was shaped by a drive for stronger efficiency, productivity and governance. The report says the organisation remained within its agreed cash allocation while improving financial controls, an issue closely watched across gov.ie, the Department of the Taoiseach and Public Expenditure circles.
HSE CEO Anne O’Connor said the changes made in 2025 represent a major milestone in delivering more modern, population-focused care. She also stressed that Ireland’s growing and ageing population is increasing demand for hospital treatment, chronic disease management and community supports.
- Six Health Regions fully established
- 20 Integrated Health Areas put in place
- Continued focus on access, productivity and financial control
- More care planning aimed at local population needs
This wider shift matters not only for Health policy but also for Social Protection, Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Education and Rural and Community Development, as health outcomes increasingly depend on joined-up public services.
Key 2025 highlights across screening, community care and waiting lists
Healthy communities and prevention
The Health Service Executive (HSE) said several prevention and early intervention programmes outperformed expectations in 2025. Screening activity rose sharply, while new care pathways were launched for women’s health and older persons’ care.
- Nearly 5,500 new users accessed social prescribing services
- A new blueprint for an age-friendly health system was published
- Ireland’s first national endometriosis care pathway was launched
- CervicalCheck, BowelScreen and Diabetic RetinaScreen all exceeded planned activity
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Care in the right place
The report shows a notable rise in community-based and alternative care. More than 121,000 referrals went to community intervention teams, helping patients receive acute short-term care outside hospital settings. Injury Units also handled 228,000 attendances, while more than 60,000 patients were treated through alternative pathways designed to reduce pressure on emergency departments.
Older people’s care remained a major area of delivery, with 25.5 million home support hours provided to more than 60,000 people. Disability services also expanded, with 8,911 residential places supported through partnership providers including agencies working alongside Tusla, HIQA and broader Health sector oversight frameworks.
Care at the right time
The Health Service Executive (HSE) also reported progress on waiting lists and child services. The national Primary Care Wait List fell by 10,000 patients, while Children’s Disability Network Teams served almost 45,000 children. The waiting list for CDNT services dropped by 27%, from 12,920 to 9,363.
A national action plan for child and youth mental health reform was also published, setting out 16 actions over three years.
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Digital health and workforce planning remain central
Another major theme in the HSE report is long-term system capacity. The organisation published its People Strategy 2025–2027 to support recruitment, retention and workforce development. At the same time, three major releases of the HSE Health App helped expand digital access, with more than 121,000 registered users by the end of the year.
That digital direction reflects a broader trend across Irish public bodies, from the Revenue Commissioners and CSO to the Data Protection Commission (DPC), National Shared Services Office and Citizens Information Board, where accessibility and secure digital service delivery are becoming increasingly important.
What the HSE report means for Ireland
The 2025 review suggests the Health Service Executive (HSE) is making measurable progress in prevention, local care delivery, disability services and digital access. But the HSE also makes clear that demand is still rising, particularly as Ireland’s population ages and care needs become more complex. The key takeaway is simple: the Health Service Executive (HSE) has advanced reform in 2025, but sustained investment, smarter integration and continued accountability will be essential if Ireland is to turn structural change into consistently faster access and better outcomes.
Article/Image Courtesy: HSE
