Cavan sees launch of new healthcare initiative

The HSE will invest €520,000 to the initiative each year

A new holistic healthcare initiative was launched in county Cavan today.

The new initiative is aimed at transforming how healthcare is delivered in Ireland, building towards equal access to services for every citizen based on patient need and not their ability to pay.

By putting people at the centre of the health system and developing primary and community health services, the Department of Health and HSE are working together to provide new models of care that allow people to stay healthy in their homes and communities for as long as possible.

The objective is to deliver the Sláintecare vision of one universal health service for all, providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Introduced nationally in 2021, Sláintecare Healthy Communities is a cross-Government initiative to deliver increased health and wellbeing services to 19 community areas across Ireland. The Cavan Sláintecare Healthy Community Site, aligned to Cavan Community Health Care Network, is one of three such sites in the Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo (CH CDLMS) Healthy Communities area, which also includes Inishowen and the Gaeltacht area in County Donegal.

Dermot Monaghan, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo described how the HSE long–term investment of €520,000 annually will provide for the establishment and delivery of a variety of different programmes in the area as part of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities. These will include; a Free one to one Stop Smoking Service, We Can Quit Community based smoking cessation programmes, Parenting Support Programmes, Healthy Food Made Easy cookery courses and Social Prescribing programmes to support people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Welcoming the launch, Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys said “Sláintecare Healthy Communities is all about working together to deliver increased and better health and well-being services in communities on the ground. It’s about supporting communities that are in greatest need. It’s about ensuring our citizens can live longer, healthier lives. “

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feeley also welcomed the launch“The health services cannot make these changes happen alone. To make real and lasting change we need to work together to create communities where people can thrive.”

Tommy Ryan, Chief Executive of Cavan County Council confirmed that the local authority is undertaking five capital projects with funding received from the Department of Health under the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Enhancement Works Programme with a total value of €250,000. These projects include refurbishment and upgrades to outdoor recreation areas in Belturbet Community Playground, Morrissey Park, Ballyjamesduff Playground, Cootehill Playground, Bailieborough Town Lake Outdoor Gym and an Adult Outdoor Gym and enhancement works to Con Smith Park in Cavan Town.

The launch of the Cavan Sláintecare Healthy Communities is the successful culmination of close collaboration between the Department of Health, Cavan County Council, HSE CH CDLMS and local partners Teach Oscail Family Resource Centre and Cavan Community Local Development (CCLD).

For further information please contact Ann Marie Crosse, HSE Sláintecare Healthy Communities Coordinator on annmarie.crosse@hse.ie or Sinead Tormey, Sláintecare Healthy Communities Local Development Officer, Cavan County Council on stormey@cavancoco.ie