HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing

#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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#34 Understanding HIV in 2023

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Eamon Keogh discusses HIV with Professor Fiona Lyons, HSE Clinical Lead of the Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Program and Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine at Saint James’ Hospital Dublin, and Aoife Commins, a practicing nurse who is living with HIV. They cover the progress made in HIV treatment, the importance of early intervention, and the challenges of stigma and discrimination. Fiona highlights the decrease in first-time HIV diagnoses as she explains the need for normalising HIV testing. Aoife shares her personal experience living with HIV, including her initial misdiagnosis and the stigma she has faced. Fiona discusses the highly effective treatments and how science has progressed. We also hear about the importance of creating a safe space for individuals to disclose their status. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to us at healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie
 
If you are looking for more information about HIV, you can visit any of the links below:
HIV Ireland: https://www.hivireland.ie/,
GOSHH: https://goshh.ie/
Sexual Health West: https://sexualhealthwest.ie/
Information about treatment and HIV care: https://www.aidsmap.com/
Useful information for people living with or affected by HIV: https://www.sexualwellbeing.ie/sexual-health/sexually-transmitted-infections/information-on-hiv/
For healthcare professionals looking for more information, please click https://www.eurotest.org/testing-tools/hiv-indicator-conditions/
 
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#33 COVID-19 & Flu Vaccines Explained

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, host Fergal Fox talks to Dr. Sarah Geoghegan, Clinical Lead of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), and Gillian Buggy, Regional Flu Lead for South East Community Healthcare. They discuss the COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations, explaining the rationale and the importance of these programmes. They highlight the significance of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in saving people from serious illness and death during the pandemic, and touch on the recent research published on this. We learn from Dr. Geoghegan about how vaccines work as she expands on the effectiveness of vaccination and also the side-effects. Gillian talks about how important it is for certain groups to get vaccinated ahead of winter, particularly healthcare workers, and what to expect when getting vaccinated. They also answer questions from healthcare workers, such as ‘Why would I need a covid vaccine… sure covid is gone!’ For more information about COVID-19 and flu vaccines, visit www.hse.ie.
If you are a healthcare worker and wish to access the 15 minute online training about the benefits of vaccines. “The Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines for Healthcare Workers– protect yourself, protect others” is a short online course designed to educate and inform healthcare workers about the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, and to address some of the things you should know about the vaccines. Go to hseland.ie and search for it. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to us at healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie
 
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#32 Fertility Wellbeing

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Noreen Turley and guest Professor Mary Wingfield, Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist at the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, discuss various aspects of fertility. Mary explains that there are a number of things that can affect your fertility, including age, body weight and smoking, and fertility problems affect both men and women equally and, in some cases, there is no known cause. She also tells us that there are things you can do to improve your chances of conceiving such as having a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing your alcohol intake, stopping smoking, reducing stress, having regular unprotected sex etc. 
We hear advice on what you can do if you are experiencing fertility problems, with the first step being to talk to your GP who will do some initial tests with you and may refer you to one of the new HSE Regional Fertility Hubs for further investigations if needed. These new HSE hubs provide free services to people experiencing fertility problems. We also hear about the different types of HSE-funded treatments such as IUI, IVF and ICSI, which are available for people who meet the access criteria. Throughout the podcast, Noreen and Mary explore common fertility problems in both men and women, the importance of early fertility education, and the psychological impact of fertility treatments. For more information, visit hse.ie/fertility for valuable resources and insights. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to us at healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie
 
Lastly, if you know someone who might benefit from or be interested in this topic, please share this episode with them.
 
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#31 Mental Health Ireland

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Fergal Fox talks to Martin Rogan, the CEO of Mental Health Ireland. They discuss the organisation's work in promoting mental health and wellbeing, the importance of collaboration and understanding in mental health promotion, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Martin emphasises the need for a holistic approach to mental health and highlights the fundamental role of parenting. He tells us about the coproduction model utilised by Mental Health Ireland and the priority of engaging with people with lived experience of mental health, to inform all their developments.  
He also shares his insights into successful mental health promotion research and models implemented in other countries. Martin is also working with the Department of Health on their Mental Health Promotion Plan and shares his insights into that work. It all makes for an uplifting and engaging conversation about mental wellbeing. For information on Mental Health Ireland go to their website: www.mentalhealthireland.ie
For a full range of information and advice about your mental health and wellbeing, including mental health issues, coping with difficult situations and helping someone else go to www.yourmentalhealth.ie  on the HSE website.
 
To get in touch with the team behind the podcast email: Healthandwellbeing.communications@hse.ie
 
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#30 Men’s Sheds

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, host Fergal Fox talks to Rebecca McLaughlin from the Irish Men's Sheds Association and Raymond Jordan from the Firhouse Men's Shed in Dublin. They discuss the positive impact of Men's Sheds on the community, the diversity of activities offered, and the importance of connection and camaraderie. Rebecca and Ray highlight the "Sheds for Life" programme, a health and wellbeing initiative that provides support directly to men in Sheds.  Ray shares his personal experience of the programme in Firhouse and his retirement planning, and the fulfilment he found in joining a Men's Shed. The episode also touches on the social and mental wellbeing many men gain through their participation with Men’s Sheds, and the many community engagement initiatives supported by the large network of sheds across the country. For more information go to the  Men’s Sheds website or check out the Sheds for Life Impact Report.
 
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#29 Obesity: Changing Attitudes

In this podcast, we hear from Dr Jean O’Connell, a consultant endocrinologist and clinical lead at the Centre for Obesity Management at St. Columcille's and St. Vincent's University Hospitals. Jean explains that obesity is a chronic disease caused by a malfunction in the body's energy balance and weight regulation. She goes on to explain that approximately 1 in 4 adults in Ireland are living with obesity, but the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may have increased these numbers. Despite this, Jean also talks about the bias and stigma associated with this long term illness.
Susie Birney, the lead for the Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ICPO) shares her personal experience of living with obesity, highlighting the difference between overweight and obesity. She also shares her personal experience of encountering weight bias within the healthcare system. Her experience reflects the damaging impact of internalized weight bias and how the language others use can reinforce this. Hosted by Eamon Keogh, we also discuss the importance of challenging stigma and misconceptions surrounding obesity. This includes the need for neutral and positive imagery in the media and the importance of healthcare professionals avoiding assumptions and biases when discussing obesity with patients.
 
For more information visit https://icpobesity.org/
 
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#28 Dementia: Understand Together

In this podcast, we hear about the HSE Dementia: Understand Together campaign which aims to raise awareness and understanding of dementia and inspire communities to become inclusive.
 
Host Noreen Turley speaks to guests Fiona Foley, Senior Project Manager HSE National Dementia Office, and Kathleen Farrell, who is living with Lewy body dementia and is a member of the Irish Dementia Working Group. 
 
In the podcast we hear about the various types of dementia, early signs and symptoms and where to go for help if you have dementia or are a family member supporting a person with the condition. Kathleen is very open about living with dementia and shares her personal experiences and she goes on to outline some of the supports available to her. Kathleen also highlights the importance of education among all community groups and organisations to create inclusive communities all over Ireland.
 
The "Understand Together" campaign recently launched a new dementia inclusive community symbol which organisations and groups can display to show their solidarity with people living with dementia. Kathleen wears her badge proudly and tells us how the campaign and new symbol is changing the dementia culture in Ireland, increasing visibility and awareness of dementia.  
 
For more information you can contact understandtogether@hse.ie, visit www.understandtogether.ie or call the national helpline facilitated by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland on 1800 341 341.
 
Dementia: Understand Together is led by the HSE, in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI), Age Friendly Ireland, the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre, Age & Opportunity and Healthy Ireland.
 
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#27 Financial Wellbeing

In this podcast, we hear from Gwen Harris from the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), where she works as Regional Manager in North Dublin, as we discuss financial wellbeing. Gwen provides practical tips for budgeting, reducing food waste, and finding the best deals in areas like utility bills.
 
Hosted by Fergal Fox, we learn that financial wellbeing is about having control and confidence in managing one's budget, rather than accumulating wealth. Gwen highlights the reluctance people may have when seeking financial assistance, and emphasises the importance of creating a judgment-free environment where people from all walks of life, regardless of their background or employment status, can seek support and advice. She also sheds light on the emotional toll and societal aspects of financial stress, emphasising that it's often external factors like job loss or illness, not personal overspending, that lead to financial strain.
 
Gwen encourages listeners to seek support from organisations like MABS and suggests visiting their website www.mabs.ie or calling their helpline on 0818 072 000, which open from 9am to 8pm, Monday to Friday. She also highlights that MABS provides financial health tools, tips and regular blog posts on various topics related to personal finance.
 
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#26 Breastfeeding Support

In this podcast, we hear from breastfeeding experts as they explain why breast feeding is important for mother and baby and outline the range of supports in every community throughout the country. This year’s theme for Breastfeeding week is ‘Making our communities and workplaces more breastfeeding friendly’. It aims to highlight local supports for parents and the recent expansion in law of breastfeeding breaks during work hours up to a child’s second birthday. Parents can get tips and advice on continuing to breastfeeding when returning to work and can also talk to a breastfeeding expert on www.mychild.ie .
 
Our podcast host Noreen Turley speaks to Helen Long, a breastfeeding mother with a complex story, who sought help and information as she began her breastfeeding journey, she said she “feels empowered and has realised that for her breastfeeding is her parenting superpower.” Helen would like to see breastfeeding normalised in Irish society and hopes by telling her story she will encourage more mothers to breastfeed their babies.
 
Alison Reynolds, Public Health Nurse and Lactation Consultant, acknowledges that breastfeeding can be difficult and explains to mothers how and where they can get practical advice and support to help them breastfeed. She tells us that your GP, GP practice nurse, midwife or public health nurse (PHN) will be happy to discuss feeding your baby and many people find it helpful to learn about breastfeeding while pregnant. Alison says that “Breastfeeding looks different to every mother and by working together with a Lactation Consultant, mothers can get the support that will work for them and enable them to breastfeed their baby for as long as they wish.”
 
Laura McHugh, HSE National Breastfeeding Coordinator, said that “We know from our data that more mothers are breastfeeding every year and that we are listening to our mothers’ needs, responding to them and are putting supports in place in every community in the country to help mothers breastfeed.” Laura also tells us that we now have over 180 breastfeeding groups, breastfeeding live chat and many more tips and support for parents available on the HSE’s www.mychild.ie website.
 
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