Which country has Europe’s most consumer-friendly healthcare system, according to the 2007 Euro Health Consumer Index?
Austria. Combining easy, hassle free access to treatment and excellence in outcomes has put Austria just ahead of perennial patient pleasers, the Netherlands, and last year’s winner, France, which has slipped to 3rd place. At a press conference in Brussels recently, it was suggested that Europe now has to fight it out for preeminence in excellence. The premiership is followed with a mid division group of adequate performers, followed finally by the lower league. No country in the index achieves more than 80% of their potential, and all remain in need of reform. The 2007 EHCI covers all 27 European Union members as well as Norway and Switzerland. Ireland has the 16th most consumer friendly healthcare system in Europe, according to the 2007 Euro Health Consumer Index (EHCI) launched today in Brussels. This is a score that shows that the massive investments in healthcare have provided positive results, even if more should have been expected. Ireland is just in the middle group along with
