Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan T.D. visits Gweedore and Buncrana in Co. Donegal today Friday November 25th to launch the Sláintecare Healthy Communities Initiative. Introduced nationally in 2021, Sláintecare Healthy Communities is a cross-Government initiative to deliver increased health and wellbeing services to 19 community areas across Ireland. The Healthy Communities area in Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo (CH CDLMS) include Inishowen Slaintecare Healthy Community Site: aligned to Inishowen & Donegal East Community Health Care Networks, the Gaeltacht area Slaintecare Healthy Community Site: aligned to Donegal North & South/ West Community Health Care Networks and the Cavan Slaintecare Healthy Community Site: aligned to Cavan Community Health Care Network
Minister Feighan will be welcomed to the events by the Cathaoirleach of Glenties Municipal District Cllr Anthony Molloy and Leas Cathaoirleach of Inishowen Municipal District Cllr Rena Donaghey and Deputy Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, Liam Ward along with Chief Officer HSE CH CDLMS Dermot Monaghan and Cara O’ Neill, HSE Head of Service, Health and Wellbeing. Also in attendance at the event was Cllr Gerry McMonagle, Chairperson of HSE Regional Health Forum West.
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The launch of the Donegal Sláintecare Healthy Communities is the successful culmination of close collaboration between the Department of Health, Donegal County Council, HSE CH CDLMS and local partners Inishowen Development Company, (IDP), Ionad Naomh Padraig Family Resource Centre, Finn Valley Family Resource Centre and Donegal Local Development Company (DLDC).
Together they are delivering evidence-based programmes and community initiatives across Donegal to support people’s wellbeing within the community and provide better access to a range of services needed to promote healthier lifestyle behaviours.
At the launch Minister Feighan stated “Sláintecare Healthy Communities is a collective programme where we all work together to ensure that our communities in greatest need are supported to live longer, healthier lives. The health services cannot make these changes happen alone. To make real and lasting change we need to work together to create communities where people can thrive. Our local community partners know better than anyone else what challenges this community faces and the strengths with it. They have the relationships and trust of the community and will be a key to the success of this programme as they are already imbedded into your community.”
Dermot Monaghan described how the HSE long–term investment of €520,000 annually will provide for the establishment and delivery of a variety of different programmes in the area as part of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities programme. These will include; a Free one to one Stop Smoking Service, We Can Quit Community based smoking cessation programmes, Parenting Support Programmes, Healthy Food Made Easy cookery courses and Social Prescribing programmes to support people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Liam Ward, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Service for Community & Planning with Donegal County Council confirmed that the local authority is undertaking 6 capital projects with funding received from the Department of Health under the Slaintecare Healthy Communities Enhancement Works Programme with a total value of €498,814.00 The projects which were agreed by the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) are divided between the two Slaintecare sites – Gaeltacht and Inishowen. The enhancement funding in the Gaeltacht area, is currently being used to redevelop a playground facility in Dungloe, to enhance the Muckish Greenway project, and to help deliver Scioból na bhfear, Men’s Shed on Tory Island. The Inishowen programme area will see the upgrade of the Barrack Hill Town Park, Carndonagh, the Moville playground and the resurfacing of the Tip O’ Neill walking trail outside Buncrana. The acquisition of a special lightweight wheelchair which will be located at the Sliabh Sneacht Centre Drumfries to allow those with mobility issues to enjoy the trial.
For further Information please contact HSE Ann Marie Crosse, HSE Slaintecare Healthy Communities Co ordinator on [email protected] or Donegal County Council [email protected] North West Gaeltacht, [email protected] Inishowen
