HSE call out to volunteers to help make a difference to health screening

Do you want to help make a difference to HSE screening programmes?  If so, the HSE National Screening Service (NSS) is seeking volunteers to join the Patient and Public network to help shape Ireland’s four national screening programmes - bowel, breast, cervical and retinopathy (an eye disease linked to diabetes).

Encouraging people to come forward and join the network, Fiona Murphy, Chief Executive, HSE National Screening Service, explains:

“We are asking people to share their valuable ideas, energy and life experiences to help improve Ireland’s health service by volunteering with our Patient and Public Partnership network. No matter how much time you have to give, your contribution will make a difference by helping people to choose screening. We are looking for people from all backgrounds to join us in delivering these life-saving programmes to people across Ireland. Together we can make a difference.”

Becoming a volunteer with the HSE National Screening Service gives you an opportunity to:

• be involved in developing and evaluating four national screening programmes, which work to reduce the incidence and impact of bowel, breast and cervical cancer, and diabetic retinopathy
• take part in training, learning opportunities and professional development
• play a key role in improving participant information materials, enabling more people across all communities to make an informed choice about screening
• be a member of the teams delivering internationally-leading, quality assured health services.

Fiona Murphy continued:

“We are looking for people who have a genuine interest in improving screening services for everyone. We need people who want equal opportunity and access to screening for everyone living in Ireland and are open to sharing their opinions while also respectfully listening to others. The level of commitment is entirely up to each person, there is no minimum required - any amount of time pledged is deeply appreciated. Also, meetings can be either attended in person or online and no experience is needed as full training is provided. If this sounds of interest please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information by emailing ppplead@screeningservice.ie.”

Keith Cairns, a volunteer with the National Screening Service from Dublin, shares insight into their experiences:

“Being part of the Patient and Public Partnership is a way of being involved in helping, even in a small way, to support and endorse the National Screening Service. There is always room for new people in the network. It is very satisfying and the people you will engage with are extremely knowledgeable and very welcoming.”

The National Screening Service partners with patients and members of the public to deliver person-centred care services. This work is a priority in the 5-year strategy, Choose Screening - Together we can make a difference.

Patient and Public Partnership aims to:

• empower patients and the public to play a meaningful and active role in the screening service
• embed partnership working across the screening service
• strengthen accountability, assurance and learning