Report on the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS

Report on the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS The epidemiological development of HIV and AIDS is similar to that experienced in other Western European countries. The condition was originally viewed as an imported virus but this view changed in 1985 when it became clear that the HIV virus had become endemic in Ireland and that Ireland had become part of the global crisis. Click here to download PDF 373kb

Standards for the Assessment of Need process under Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005Consultation Process

Standards for the Assessment of Need process under Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 In 2004, the Irish Government launched the National Disability Strategy as a framework of positive action measures to support the participation of people with disabilities in Irish society. Two new pieces of legislation â?" the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Act, 2004 (EPSEN Act 2004 hereafter) and the Disability Act, 2005 â?" form an integral part of this strategy and deal with the special education and/or health needs of persons. Click here to download PDF 279kb The Report on the Consultation Process on Standards for the Assessment of Need process as referred to on page 6 of the Standards document above. Click here to download PDF 369kb

Review of the Operation of the Mental Health Act 2001

The Mental Health Act 2001 replaces the Mental Treatment Acts 1945-61 which provided the statutory framework for the detention of people with mental illness and the administration of psychiatric services for over 50 years.The 2001 Act was introduced on a phased basis to allow for the necessary preparatory work to be undertaken. In March 2002 sections 1 to 5, 7, and 31 to 55 were commenced with effect from the 5 April 2002 (Establishment Day). This allowed for the establishment of the Mental Health Commission and the Inspector of Mental Health Services to replace the Inspector of Mental Hospitals. The Mental Health Act 2001 replaces the Mental Treatment Acts 1945-61 which provided the statutory framework for the detention of people with mental illness and the administration of psychiatric services for over 50 years. The 2001 Act was introduced on a phased basis to allow for the necessary preparatory work to be undertaken. In March 2002 sections 1 to 5, 7, and 31 to 55 were commenced with effect from the 5 April 2002 (Establishment Day). This allowed for the establishment of the Mental Health Commission and the Inspector of Mental Health Services to replace the Inspector of Mental Hospitals. Click here to download PDF 202kb

Women, Debt & Health; a Joint report of The Women’s Health Council and MABS

Women, Debt & Health; a Joint report of The Women’s Health Council and MABS The main aims of the â?~Women, Debt and Healthâ?T project were to:- explore whether women attending the MABS service commonly discuss health during their money advice and budgeting consultations;- investigate whether women attending MABS identifi ed links between their debt or financial difficulties and their health; and- document the types of health issues experienced by MABS clients.- A secondary aim of the research was to explore the need for, and nature of, further research in this area. Click here to download PDF 1.1mb

End-of-Life Care for Older People - Conference Proceedings

The purpose of this report on seminar proceedings is to provide a focused andaccurate summary of the deliberations of the seminar.The main aim of the seminar was to provide a forum in which to consider the determinants of quality of life of older people at the end-of-life and to identify priority measures and policies to ensure the highest standards of end-of-life care for older people in acute and long-stay settings in Ireland. Download document here

Building a Culture of Patient Safety - Report of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

The Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance was established in January 2007 and reported to the Minister in July 2008. The report was considered by government in January 2009 which agreed the implementation process. The overall objective of the Commission was to develop clear and practical recommendations to ensure that safety and quality of care for patients is paramount within the healthcare system. The Commission’s report set out a wide range of policy measures that will drive the safety and quality agenda in Irish healthcare in the coming years. The establishment of the Commission was prompted by an increasing awareness of patient safety issues in general and high profile health service system failures at home and abroad and in particular by the Lourdes Hospital Inquiry. These have underlined the need for an increased focus on patient safety and quality. Download document here Download summary document on the Report

Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland (2008)

Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland (2008) This revised report on immunisation guidelines for Ireland has been prepared with the assistance of an active Committee from associated disciplines in Paediatrics, Infectious Diseases, General Practice, Public Health, Microbiology, Occupational Health, Travel Medicine and the Irish Medicines Board. The report itself continues to be simple and concise in design and of course does not claim to contain all information on any pharmacological material. Click here to download PDF 2mb

National Office of Suicide Prevention Annual Report 2007

24.6.2008 National Office of Suicide Prevention Annual Report 2007 Suicidal behaviour remains a significant public health problem in Ireland. Nearly 11,000 self harm presentations were made to our Emergency Departments in 2007. The latest year of occurrence data for 2005 shows the number of recorded suicides at 481, slightly lower than previous years. As our population has increased our overall rate of suicide has reduced, although our rate of youth suicide remains the 5th highest in Europe. However, we should be encouraged by the self harm and year of occurrence suicide data which although not yet indicating significant downward trends are perhaps beginning to reflect the impact of the work undertaken in the last few years. Click here to download PDF 1.8mb

Report of the Department of Health and Children to the Oireachtas Under Section 2 (5) of the European Union (Scrutiny) Act, 2002 & Jan to June 2008

Report of the Department of Health and Children to the Oireachtas Under Section 2 (5) of the European Union (Scrutiny) Act, 2002 – Jan to June 2008 Under the terms of the European Union (Scrutiny Act) 2002, Ministers submit reports to the Oireachtas every six months on developments at European Union level in their area of responsibility. This report summarises the key legislative and policy developments during the first six months of 2008. Slovenia held the Presidency of the European Union during this period. Information on the Slovenian Presidency can be accessed at: Click here to download PDF

Report of the Implementation Group on Alcohol Misuse

Report of the Implementation Group on Alcohol Misuse The Implementation Group was formed to monitor and report on progress on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report â?oWorking Together to Reduce the Harms Caused by Alcohol Misuseâ?T. This report was produced by a Working Group established under the Sustaining Progress Special Initiative on Alcohol and Drugs Misuse. The Working Group, which comprised Social Partners and relevant Government Departments and Agencies, Click here to download PDF: 84kb

Report of the Independent Body on Pharmacy Contract Pricing

Report of the Independent Body on Pharmacy Contract Pricing On 18 February 2008 the Minister for Health and Children announced the appointment of an Independent Body to recommend a new, interim community pharmacy dispensing fee for the General Medical Service (GMS), Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) and other community drug schemes.The Terms of Reference for the Independent Body on Pharmacy Contract Pricing are as follows: â?oTo advise the Minister for Health and Children on the appropriate level of dispensing fee to be paid to community pharmacists for existing services provided under the GMS and community drug schemes having regard to: Click here to download PDF: 110kb

Report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Long Term Care, 2006

Report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Long Term Care, 2006 This report was finalised by the working group at the end of 2005 and submitted to Government in January 2006. While the reportâ?Ts proposals were not formally endorsed by Government, its analysis and recommendations have informed subsequent decisions, including the Fair Deal policy on Long-Term Nursing Home Care.The principles underpinning the report formed the basis for discussions about long term care with the Social Partners prior to the new national programme negotiations leading to a clear vision articulated in Towards 2016 on a number of priority actions to support older people to participate in society in a full and meaningful way. Click here to download PDF 693kb

Report of the the National Health Consultative Forum 2008

Report of the the National Health Consultative Forum 2008 The National Health Consultative Forum was convened by the Minister under Part 8 of The Health Act, 2004. This was the second National Health Consultative to be convened under the Act, to advise the Minister on matters relating to the provision of health and personal social services. The theme for the 2008 Forum, which was chaired by Dr. John Bowman was: Best practice in change programmes having particular regard to the move from hospital to community based health services, incorporating current thinking on innovative practices and flexible working ways. Click here to download PDF 1.7mb

SLÃÅN 2007: Dietary Habits of the Irish Population

SLÃÂÅN 2007: Dietary Habits of the Irish Population The third national Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition (SLÃÂÅN) was conducted in 2007, following previous surveys in 1998 and 2002. The 2007 SLÃÂÅN survey involved a nationally representative sample of 10,364 respondents (62% response rate), of whom 9,223 (89%) completed a standard Willett Food Frequency Questionnaire adapted for use in the Irish population. Click here to download PDF 4mb

Second Report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (2007)

In December 2005, the Minister for Health and Children set up the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (the Monitoring Body) to oversee the implementation of and adherence to the Voluntary Codes of Practice to limit the exposure of young people to alcohol advertising. These Codes were agreed between the Department of Health and Children and representatives of the advertising, drinks and media communications industries. Click here to download PDF 146kb