The Eleven Kingdoms
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The Eleven Kingdoms is a term used in Ireland by journalists, politicians and others who dislike the current state of Irelands healthcare system. The Eleven Kingdoms refer to the eleven health authorities/boards which controlled the healthcare system set up under the Health Act, 1970.
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Patronage
The health authorities/boards were seen as a system of patronage. Members of the boards generally numbers between 30 and 55 at any one time with chemists, county councils, dentists doctors, nurses and Ministerial nominees been present. Each board had a Chief Executive Officer as the head of the board.
Endemic
Many cite bad decisions made by the boards been epidemic of the Irish healthcare system; "shanty town hospitals", poor access to services, poor accountability, overly distributed services, poor emergency services, low healthcare professional numbers, inability to attract and retain healthcare staff, general indecision and poor central control.
The Eleven Kingdoms
The11Kingdoms.gif
Map: The Eleven Kingdoms
| "Name of Kingdom" | Code | Administrative Region |
| Eastern Regional HA | ERHA | Dublin Kildare Wicklow |
| South Western Area HB | SWAHB | Mostly Kildare |
| Northern Area HB | NAHB | Mostly Dublin |
| East Coast Area HB | ECAHB | Mostly Wicklow |
| Midland HB | MHB | Laois Offaly Longford Westmeath |
| Mid-Western HB | MWHB | Clare Limerick Tipperary NR |
| North-Eastern HB | NEHB | Louth Meath Cavan Monaghan |
| North-Western HB | NWHB | Donegal Sligo Leitrim |
| South-Eastern HB | SEHB | Carlow Kilkenny Wexford Waterford Tipperary SR |
| Southern HB | SHB | Cork Kerry |
| Western HB | WHB | Galway Mayo Roscommon |
Abbreviations;- HA: Health Authority; HB: Health Board; NR: North Riding; SR: South Riding
Future
The system was abolished on 1st January 2005 and replaced with the Health Service Executive, see Health care in Ireland for further details.
External links
- Department of Health (http://www.doh.ie)
- The Health Boards Executive (http://www.hebe.ie)