Minister visits HSE’s Social Inclusion services in Waterford

The HSE’s Primary Care/Social Inclusion services in Waterford were delighted to host the Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’ Connor T.D. on a visit to their offices at St. Otteran’s Hospital.

An overview was provided for the Minister on the services available in such spheres as Addiction (including HSE community agencies supported by the HSE under Section 39 of the Health Act), Homeless services, Traveller Health, Migrant Health, Family Support and work with the Roma community.

Having been welcomed by Lisa Robson (General Manager/Social Inclusion) of the Primary Care Services for the Waterford/Wexford and Carlow-Kilkenny/Tipperary South Integrated Healthcare Areas of the HSE’s Dublin and South East region, Minister Murnane O’ Connor heard from various team members as to the supports it provides locally.

In partnership with other agencies the HSE’s Primary Care/Social Inclusion service supports the development and implementation of initiatives that enhance health care delivery to improve access and ensure equitable health outcomes for vulnerable groups. This is towards ensuring that health outcomes for socially excluded groups in society are improved.

In terms of working for equitable health outcomes for vulnerable groups, the HSE’s Social Inclusion services are working with Refugees, Asylum Seekers who are now recognised as People Seeking International Protection, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, Roma, Travellers and LGBT+ people and their families, those with Addictions and those who experience or who are at risk of Homelessness.

HSE Social inclusion works in partnership with the community and voluntary sectors and across a range of statutory services, to improve access to health services for disadvantaged groups. This includes provision of targeted interventions for people from marginalised groups who experience health inequalities, have difficulties accessing services and present with multiple, complex health and support needs (including health supports for people who are homeless and in relation to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence).

The HSE’s Substance Misuse services comprise of range of free and confidential services in Waterford City and County. This service is for anyone affected by problematic drugs or alcohol misuse and can be accessed by individuals regardless of what stage they are at, across the spectrum of addiction. The Substance Misuse recovery team in Waterford comprises of: GPs, an Assistant Director of Nursing, Substance Misuse Liaison Nurses, a Drug and an Alcohol Liaison Midwife, a Senior Counsellor, Addiction Counsellors, Community based Drug and Alcohol workers, Outreach Workers, Drugs Education Officer, local Substance Misuse Co-ordinators and a Clinical Lead. The team also work with the HSE’s Primary Care services, GPs and community pharmacies in providing a patient centred approach.