Dublin, 2 December 2025 — Ireland has unveiled a new Age‑Friendly Health System (AFHS) blueprint, a nationwide initiative designed to reshape healthcare delivery for older adults. Announced by Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell, TD, and supported by the Health Service Executive (HSE), the plan aims to embed age‑friendly principles across the country’s health services.
Evidence‑Based Framework
At the heart of the AFHS is the internationally recognized 4Ms Framework: What Matters, Medications, Mind, and Mobility. This approach ensures that care is not only clinically effective but also aligned with the priorities and wellbeing of older patients. By focusing on these four pillars, the system seeks to deliver efficient, appropriate, and high‑quality care tailored to the needs of Ireland’s ageing population.
Collaborative Development
The blueprint was developed through collaboration between the Department of Health, the HSE, and frontline staff, integrating clinical expertise with the lived experiences and preferences of older adults. Officials describe the initiative as a step toward making Ireland a country where the entire health system is designed through an age‑friendly lens, supporting longer lives with integrated, person‑centred care.
Outlook
With Ireland’s population of older adults steadily increasing, the AFHS represents a significant policy shift toward sustainability and inclusivity in healthcare. The initiative is expected to strengthen trust in public health services while setting a benchmark for age‑friendly care across Europe.
