Concerns over the health status of people in Ireland has led to the launch of a new Healthy Ireland Plan for Donegal and surrounding areas.
The Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1 Healthy Ireland Plan was officially launched on 10th December, detailing ways to improve the health and wellbeing of the 391,281 people living in Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo.
The Healthy Ireland Framework is a response to concerns that the current health status of people living in Ireland – including lifestyle trends and health inequalities – is leading towards a future that is dangerously unhealthy.
Currently, 1 in 4 children are overweight and 3 in every 4 primary school children do not meet the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
Other concerns surround alcohol consumption in Ireland (5th highest in Europe), chronic disease rates and the fact that 1 in 5 of Irish people will experience mental health problems in their lifetime.
Members of HI Steering Group, L to R: Amanda Murray, Communications Officer CHO 1, Bernie Convey, Stroke Lead, Long Term Conditions Programme, CHO 1, Irene Cunningham, Dietitian Manager, Primary Care Services, Cavan/Monaghan, Brid Brady, CHild Health Development Officer, CHO 1, Mary Rose Carr, Home Care Services Manager, Donegal, Liz Martin, Health Promtotion Development Officer, Sligo/Leitirm, Patrick Murray, Head of HR, CHO 1, Nimah Finlay, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Occupational Health Service, CHO 1, Anne Sheridan, Mental Health Promotion/Suicide Resource Officer, Donegal, Cara O Neill, Head of Health & Wellbeing, CHO 1.
The CHO 1 Healthy Ireland Implementation Plan sets out a roadmap to tackle such challenges.
This 5 year plan sets out nearly 100 actions which aim to help HSE service users and patients, their communities and staff. Initiatives address healthy childhood, healthy eating and active living, tobacco-free, alcohol, mental health and sexual health.
Pupils & Teachers from St Catherines National School Choir, Ballyshannon, Donegal
St Catherine’s National School Choir attends the launch event in An Clochar, Health Campus, Ballyshannon on Monday. They started off proceedings with a beautiful collection of Christmas Carols. Art from school children across the five counties was also on display.
School children were invited to draw a picture of ‘What Healthy Ireland meant to them’.
Sligo/Leitirm Oireacthas members and speakers L to R: Martin Kenndy TD, Patrick Murray, Head of HR, CHO 1, Cara O Neill, Head of Health & Wellbeing, CHO, Cllr, Rosaleen O Grady, Mayor of Sligo and Chair Regional Health Forum West, Eamon Scalon TD, Marc Mac Sharry TD, Sarah MacCormack, National Healthy Ireland Lead, John Hayes, Chief Officer, CHO 1.
The launch was officially performed by Cllr. Rosaleen O’Grady, Mayor of Sligo and Chairperson of the Regional Health Forum – West who stated “Building relationships and strengthening partnerships is a key focus of Healthy Ireland. We are in a position to effect real change and make a meaningful difference to people’s lives. Promoting Health and wellbeing and the prevention of chronic disease needs to be at the heart of health services. “
The full plan is available at: https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/healthwellbeing/healthy-ireland/community-healthcare-organisations/cho-implementation-plans/cho-area1-hi-implementation-plan-2018-2023.pdf
