HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing

#44 Sláintecare Healthy Communities

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, we discuss the Sláintecare Healthy Community initiative in Dublin's North East Inner City with guests Catherine Heaney and Cáit Donnelly. They explore the recent evaluation report and the importance of partnerships between the HSE and community organisations like Dublin City Community Co-op. The conversation highlights the diverse and complex communities they serve, including areas of disadvantage and the impact of social determinants on health. The Sláintecare Healthy Communities project aims to improve long-term health and wellbeing by addressing broader social needs alongside lifestyle factors. The episode emphasises the value of partnership working and community development in health promotion.
For more information, visit https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/healthwellbeing/slaintecare-healthy-communities/
 
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#43 Your Child's Vaccine Journey

In this episode, host Fergal Fox discusses vaccinations with Dr Lucy Jessop, Director of the National Immunisation Office, and parent representative Lorraine Hughes. Dr Jessop provides a clear explanation of how vaccines work, teaching the immune system to recognise and combat diseases before they can take hold. She stresses the importance of following the recommended vaccination schedule as this proactive approach to health is crucial in safeguarding our children during their most vulnerable stages. We discuss the vaccination schedule for children, including the introduction of the HPV vaccine for boys and its role in cancer prevention, as Lorraine shares her son's vaccination experience. The episode also addresses vaccines recommended during pregnancy, the importance of timely vaccinations to prevent disease resurgence and the need for accurate information from reliable sources. It highlights the role of healthcare professionals in building parental trust and ensuring children receive vaccinations at the right time.
For further information visit immunisation.ie or if you’d like to read or download the current immunisation schedule visit https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/currentschedule.html.
 
To get in touch with the podcast email Healthandwellbeing.communication@hse.ie
 
 
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#42 Obesity: Treatments and Trends

In this episode, host Eamon Keogh talks with Professor Donal O’Shea, HSE Clinical Lead, who takes us through the complexities of obesity as a chronic disease. He emphasises the need for empathy and a shift in perception towards individuals with obesity and highlights the connection between obesity and over 200 conditions, advocating for a shift in focus towards treating obesity itself to prevent these complications. Donal also talks about the importance of language and communication in healthcare., the way we talk about obesity can either perpetuate stigma or foster support. He goes on to discuss the emergence of new treatments for obesity, based on hormones and gut mechanisms that offer significant benefits in terms of health improvement and weight loss.
 
For obesity support information visit www.icpobesity.org or if you’d like to read more on HSE Model of Care for the Management of Overweight and Obesity visit https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/ncps/obesity/model-of-care/.
 
To get in touch with the podcast email Healthandwellbeing.communication@hse.ie
 
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#41 Active lifestyles for people with disabilities

In this episode, host Noreen Turley meets with Brenda O'Donnell and Lauren Watters from Active Disability Ireland to discuss their work underway in promoting active lifestyles for people with disabilities. They tell us about the Active Healthy Me programme, which aims to empower people with disabilities to take control of their own health & wellbeing through an online education programme. We also hear about the Sport Inclusion Disability Charter, outlining five key areas people with disabilities are asking all organisations to consider in making active and healthy lifestyles possible for them. We hear about the importance of inclusive policies and a person-first approach, and highlight the challenges faced in youth sports participation and the need for consultation. Brenda outlines future goals, including expanding into education and the collaboration with services across Ireland to update national physical activity guidelines. The episode concludes with a testimonial from Antoinette, emphasising the positive impact of staying active.
Activity Disability Ireland host the Active Disability Services Awards which aim to champion the innovative physical activity, health promotion and community inclusion initiatives that have arisen as a result of the service engaging with Active Healthy Me programme. For those interested in the Active Disability Services Awards, the deadline is approaching, and more information can be found on the Active Disability Ireland website https://activedisability.ie/
For further information visit https://www2.hse.ie/services/disability/ 
 
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#40 Communities Saving Lives

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, we hear about the role of Community First Responders (CFRs) from Ger O’Dea, the Community Engagement Manager with the HSE National Ambulance Service. Ger highlights the importance of community involvement in emergency situations, especially in rural Ireland where ambulance response times can be longer and explains how they provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to anybody who wants to become a CFR. Hosted by Fergal Fox, they discuss the critical first five minutes of a cardiac arrest, the misconceptions between cardiac arrest and heart attack, and the automated system that alerts CFRs to emergencies. Ger emphasises the need for widespread CPR training and the use of AEDs, and he encourages listeners to get involved in CFR schemes to help save lives in their communities. The episode highlights the importance of community engagement, training, and the maintenance of emergency response equipment to enhance survival rates in cardiac events. It all makes for a very inspiring episode, which we hope encourages you to play your part in Communities Saving Lives! For more on becoming a CFR go to www.becomeacfr.ie and to learn more about the work of the HSE National Ambulance Service go to www.nationalambulanceservice.ie
 
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#39 Parenting: Talking It Out

In our latest HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast host Eamon Keogh, talks with Parenting Facilitators, Lulu O’Kelly, Bray Area Partnership and Linda Pickett, Northside Area Partnership. They talk about the parenting peer groups they run, how they are a safe, non-judgemental place, where day to day experiences, like meal times, screen times and the big one, “Saying No” are discussed. They discuss every day challenges parents face, offering some guidance, based on their vast experiences. They also discuss the value and role of peer support in parenting groups, where parents lean on each other and find comfort in the fact that in most cases, they are all dealing with the same day to day issues.
For more information visit www.gov.ie/supportingparents and for more information about Slaintecare Healthy Communities Parenting Groups visit https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/healthwellbeing/slaintecare-healthy-communities/.
 
To get in touch with the podcast email Healthandwellbeing.communication@hse.ie 
 
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#38 Ten Tips for a Healthy 2024

The HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast relaunches this week as host Fergal Fox, with Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officers, Dr Michelle Hardie-Murphy and Aisling Doherty, discuss ten tips to kick start the New Year. They talk about setting realistic goals, the importance of enjoying healthy activities and celebrating small victories. The episode emphasises the need for flexibility, self-care, and regular reflection in the face of setbacks. They highlight the HSE’s quit smoking services and other free resources on the Health and Wellbeing YouTube channel and in the community through the likes of ParkRun and Local Sports Partnerships. They underscore the value of getting support for your behaviour change while recognising that many things influence people’s health outside of their lifestyle behaviours. For more information visit HSE Health and Wellbeing on Youtube, Safefood website, ParkRun, Sport Ireland, Quit.ie, Minding Your Wellbeing and yourmentalhealth.ie.
 
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#37 A Lookback on 2023

In this episode the hosts of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast reflect on their experiences and the success of the series to date. They discuss standout episodes, including Nikki Killeen's discussion about the Safer Nightlife Programme as they identified new drugs at music festivals, Prof. Bobby Smyth's insights on addiction in young people, and Dr. Sheila Gilheaney's episode about the work of Alcohol Action Ireland to advance implementation of Alcohol Act and hidden alcohol marketing. They also highlight the power of personal stories in their episodes, the importance of context and humanity in healthcare discussions, and the value of including healthcare staff voices. Hosts, Fergal Fox, Noreen Turley and Eamon Keogh express gratitude to their guests and listeners and look forward to future conversations. To get in touch with the podcast email Healthandwellbeing.communication@hse.ie
 
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#36 Vaping: Get the Facts

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, Dr. Paul Kavanagh, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Public Health Advisor for the HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, discusses the harmful effects of vaping and e-cigarettes, particularly among children and young people. Susan MacNicholas, a stop smoking advisor, shares her experiences working with young people who vape and emphasises the addictive nature of nicotine, They discuss the increasing trend of vaping among young people, the harmful chemicals contained in e-cigarettes, and the new legislation to regulate the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. Hosted by Noreen Turley, the episode also highlights the importance of quitting smoking and the availability of support services for those who wish to quit.
 
Links to information and resource below:Information booklet on E- Cigarettes/vapingInformation and guidance on E-Cigarettes and Vaping for SchoolsE-cigarette ResourcesHSE joint response to concerns of children and young people using e-cigarettesVaping information for parentsHealthy Choice 2, Nicotine Addiction; Tobacco and E-CigarettesQuit4Youth ResourcesStop Smoking Services
 
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#35 Winter Wellness

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, we discuss Winter Wellness with Dr. Edel Doorley, HSE GP Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control (AMRIC). Dr. Doorley provides advice on managing common illnesses, emphasising the importance of hand hygiene, vaccinations, and self-care. She highlights the HSE Common Conditions website as a resource for parents and encourages physical activity and social connections for mental health. The discussion also touches on the importance of routine and resources available in local communities for non-emergency health concerns. The "Catch it, Kill it, Bin it" initiative, promoting proper coughing etiquette, is also highlighted by Dr. Doorley as she encourages everyone to maintain simple ways to prevent the spread of infections. Hosted by Fergal Fox. For more information on Winter Wellness go to: https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/winter/how-to-stay-well-in-winter/ and the HSE Common Conditions website can also answer lots of questions: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/common-illnesses/.
 
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