Spending on healthcare rose 3.6% to €88bn in 2010, well down on previous years’ growth, the national statistics office CBS said on Wednesday.

The cost of family doctor services and medical help for the handicapped barely rose and spending on hospitals also went up marginally, the CBS said.
By contrast, spending on midwifery and physiotherapy was up 7%, while care for the elderly went up 5% in price.
Wage rises pushed up the total wage bill in the healthcare sector 5%.