A Survey of Health Service Utilisation and Health Needs of a Population of Patient with HIV/ AIDS

This study described the demographic and medical characteristics of a population of patients with HIV/AIDS attending the department of Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) at a major Dublin hospital. The study population's utilisation of statutory and voluntary medical and social services at primary care level, satisfaction with services received and perceived need for services examined. The information obtained was used to make recommendations concerning the provision of care to patients with HIV/AIDS. The study was carried out between February and November 1994. Data was collected from a consecutive sample of eighty inpatients using n interviewer-administered questionnaire which contained both closed and open questions. The first forty patients interviewed were reviewed six months following the initial interview to document changes in physical condition and uptake of medical services over that time period. Data for the second part of the study was obtained by review of the patients' medical case notes and interview with the individual hospital medical social worker assigned to each patient. Over ninety percent of respondents were from the Greater Dublin Area. Almost three quarters were intravenous drug users (IVDUs), and the majority of these patients came from south inner city Dublin. The methodology was biased towards sampling patients with advanced disease and 73% had CDC Stage 4 disease. Twenty percent required some assistance with the activities of daily living when first interviewed. Most were reliant on informal carers. Social and physical dependency increased substantially over the six month period of the follow-up study of forty patients. Financial difficulties were identified as a particular area of need. Only ten percent of those interviewed were in current employment and over 80% were dependent on statutory payments. There is a need for greater co-ordination between the providers of services to patients HIV/AIDS and an improved system of data collection regarding patients' uptake of services and unmet needs is required to assist in future service planning.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Implementing A vision for change: moving towards a modern, quality and responsive mental health service. Carlow / Kilkenny / South Tipperary.

The key element of the HSE South’s Programme is to enhance and develop community mental health services in Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary, to enable the service user to remain in the community to the greatest extent possible. HSE South has prioritised the implementation of the change programme and has allocated more than €20m capital funding and over €1.75m revenue funding to support this comprehensive development programme. Speaking at the briefings Mr. Pat Healy, Regional Director of Operations, HSE South said, “When this plan is delivered, clients will have access to the highest standards of services in all three counties, which should significantly improve these clients’ treatment programmes and quality of life. The National Service Users Executive are supporting the change programme, which is of immense importance to HSE South. The programme heralds the enhancement and development of community mental health services, the closure of old long stay institutions, the separation of North and South Tipperary acute inpatient mental health services and development of appropriate acute inpatient services, for the extended catchment area, in line with the national strategy for mental health “A Vision for Change”. The programme also acts on recommendations of the Mental Health Commission.”This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Cognitive behavioural skills for practice a model for delivery in the Irish mental health service.

This publication outlines a model of delivery for introductory level Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) training in the Mental Health Service, HSE South (Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford). This model has proved useful in guiding the development of four introductory programmes during 2009 and 2010. As a result of this experience, we have amended and updated our programme delivery strategies. We see this process as organic and ever changing, thus these reflections are a snap shot of our current thinking which we have no doubt will evolve as we proceed with future programmes. This booklet will act as a guide for our upcoming programmes in 2010 and 2011 and we believe it may also offer guidance to others who will be involved in the delivery of CBT training within the Irish Mental Health Service.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Obesity in an ageing society implications for health, physical function and health service utilisation.

Key Findings • Based on body mass index (BMI) measurements, 36% of Irish over 50s are obese and a further 43% are overweight. • Based on waist circumference measurements, 52% of Irish over 50s are ‘centrally obese’, i.e., with a ‘substantially increased’ waist circumference, while a further 25% have an ‘increased’ waist circumference. • Using BMI as an indicator of obesity, a higher proportion of men (38%) are obese than women (33%); however, using waist circumference as an indicator of obesity, a higher proportion of women (56%) have a ‘substantially increased’ waist circumference than men (48%). • The prevalence of obesity in Irish men over 50 is comparable with US men over 50 (while English rates are much lower).     .This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

FLYER: Ethics, Consent and Participation in Research With Children and Young People

  Date: Friday, 14 June 2013   Time:10:30 – 13.30 Location: G13, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork The children's Research Network for Ireland and Northern Ireland in conjunction with the Children and Young People Research Cluster at the Institute for Social Sciences in the 21st Century at UCC are holding a workshop on ethics, consent and participation in research with children and young people. The event will explore some of the complex ethical issues involved in conducting research with children and young people, from the perspectives of researchers, children, families and service-providers.  

Portland Row Community Café

Our Vision is that each individual accessing these service’s be provided with a choice of affordable, nutritious meals in a safe, warm and attractive environment.  We achieve this through the following best practice standards: – Quality service – Maintaining a high quality environment – The highest quality food standard (with choice of meals) Cafes are open to the public from 8am serving breakfast until 11.30 and lunch/dinner from 12-4pm. (open Monday – Friday) Telephone: (01) 8555577 Initiative Type Community Cafés Location Dublin 1

Healthy Gardening

Helping Local People and Local Communities create a Healthier Environment The healthy gardening project is a ten week programme which runs in community gardens/allotments throughout the county in partnership with community development projects. The underpinning values of the approach taken are holistic in nature and cover the areas of individual and community health and wellbeing, ecosystem health, environment and sustainablility. HSE and VEC Initiative Type Nutrition Education and Training Programmes Location Letterkenny Funding HSE and VEC Partner Agencies Community projects County council Family resource centre VEC Adult Education Service

The Attic Youth Cafe

The Attic Youth Cafe was established as a social inclusion initiative and response to the issues of early school leaving, lack of informal educational opportunities, early sexual activity, early use of alcohol and the lack of a recreational space for young people to access information and socialise in. The service operates on a `drop-in` basis and is open to all young people aged between 14-18 years old. The Attic Youth Cafe offers services to the broad youth population and to marginalised and vulnerable young people. Local Community Development Programme Initiative Type Community Cafés Location Cork Target Groups Children (13-18 years) Funding Local Community Development Programme

Linx Project Meals on Wheels

Our Project provides a Meals on Wheels delivery Service and a Drop in Centre five days per week.  We provide a three course meal which is made from only fresh local produce.  All soup, breads, desserts etc. are homemade. Our dinner consists of homemade soup & brown bread, Meat/Fish, two vegetables with potatoes and a dessert for €3.50.  Clients who come into our Drop in Centre avail of free tea/ coffee and biscuits throughout the day.   Initiative Type Community Food Centres Meals on Wheels Location Dublin 9 Target Groups Older people Funding HSE and Dept. Social Protection

Knockvicar Organic Garden

On less than an acre we grow vegetables, herbs and soft fruit, in tunnels and outdoors, organically. We run school gardens and have a community garden group. The Co-op also hosts a weekly community market. Knockvicar Garden offers trainings on site and off, a number of free programmes and (usually free) advisory service. Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Location Roscommon Partner Agencies Pobal CSP Website http://www.knockvicargardener.com/

Cairde le Cheile CFI

Potatoes, cabbage, onions, carrots, turnips and a range of herbs are grown for use in the Cairde le Cheile Meals on Wheels service. The core workers in the garden are Rural Social Scheme participants. The gardens are open weekly on Monday and Tuesday and many people visit. Local Agenda 21 Initiative Type Meals on Wheels Location Mayo Target Groups Older people Funding Local Agenda 21 Partner Agencies HSE Mayo County Council The Community Foundation for Ireland

The Reco Youth Cafe

We provide and sell freshly prepared main meals with high quality nutritional value to young people in the area. Adults can also avail of the cafe and their purchases effectively subsidise the project. The Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund and The City of Dublin Youth Service Board and traded Initiative Type Community Cafés Location Dublin 11 Target Groups Children (13-18 years) Funding The Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund and The City of Dublin Youth Service Board and traded Partner Agencies City of Dublin Youth Service Board

Holles Row Community Café

Our Vision is that each individual accessing these service’s be provided with a choice of affordable, nutritious meals in a safe, warm and attractive environment.  We achieve this through the following best practice standards: – Quality service – Maintaining a high quality environment – The highest quality food standard (with choice of meals) Cafes are open to the public from 8am serving breakfast until 11.30 and lunch/dinner from 12-4pm.(open Monday - Saturday) Telephone: (01) 5515916 Initiative Type Community Cafés Location Dublin 2

Limerick Seed to Plate

The aim of the project is to address an identified need in the community, promoting healthy eating and organic home-gardening practices. Building on the success of a pilot intergenerational project entitled "Through the Years", it became apparent that gardening related activities could be implemented and promoted on a larger scale, reaching the wider community, groups and classes. The project serves as a setting for community education and will be inclusive in helping reduce isolation by providing meeting places for all members of their local communities. Key people being targeted are older people, local families and residents, Limerick Youth Service, After School Clubs, the Garda Youth Diversion Project and the Family Resource Centre. The Limerick Seed to Plate works with gardeners whose primary focus is to develop the gardening projects further. There is a strong educational emphasis to the project and the learning is transferred to participants own homes and lifestyles. Southill has a community café and, where possible, food grown in their garden is showcased and cooked in the centre and café. The Community Food Initiative strengthens the existing healthy eating habits in the community and aims to result in increased long-term health benefits arising from a healthier lifestyle. Communities will benefit from the project which will create employment, build bridges between communities, promote social inclusion and provide a focus for the local areas. Part of theDemonstration Programme 2010-2012 Location Limerick Target Groups At risk youth Children ( 4-12 years) Children (0-4 years) Children (13-18 years) Families Lone parents Low income families Men Migrant, minority ethnic groups Older people Travellers Unemployed Women

WTID Community Garden

WTID rents allotments to members of the community which promotes grow your own. HSE West; FAS CE scheme; Involve: Senior Youth Worker; Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Service; Pobal Initiative Type Community Food Growing Projects Location Galway Target Groups At risk youth Children ( 4-12 years) Children (0-4 years) Children (13-18 years) Families Lone parents Men Migrant, minority ethnic groups Older people People with mental health difficulties Travellers Unemployed Women Funding HSE West; FAS CE scheme; Involve: Senior Youth Worker; Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Service; Pobal Partner Agencies Equal Ireland FÁS Galway County Council GCCCC GRD HSE Involve RAPID VEC Adult Education Service