Although health systems remain a highly labour-intensive sector, capital has been an increasingly important factor of production of health services over recent decades, as reflected for example by the growing importance of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment or the expansion of information and communications technology (ICT) in health care (see previous indicator on eHealth adoption in general practice and hospital). However, the level of resources invested in infrastructure, equipment and ICT tends to fluctuate more with economic cycles than current spending on health services, as investment decisions are often more discrete and can more easily be postponed or brought forward depending on economic circumstances. In making capital investment decisions, policy-makers need to carefully assess not only the short-term costs, but also the potential benefits in the short, medium and longer-term. Slowing down investment in health infrastructure and equipment may also reduce the capacity to treat patients and contribute to increases in waiting times for different types of services.