Free ‘Let’s Talk Health’ talks begin this month
By Aideen o'Flaherty
A SERIES of public health talks, covering a variety of topics including arthritis prevention, managing depression, and how to assist someone who is having a seizure, will be held at various locations around Tallaght this spring.
The Let’s Talk Health Spring/Summer Series, being run by Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) in partnership with the Patient Community Advisory Council (PCAC), is an initiative where free talks are given by TUH medical staff at venues around Dublin 24 for members of the public.
Public health talks are being held by Tallaght University Hospital at a number of locations around Tallaght
There will be four talks in total, with one taking place each month in February, March, April and May, and each talk will cover a different topic and will be held in different locations.
On Thursday, February 20, a talk about epilepsy, explaining what the condition is and how you can help someone when they have a seizure, will be given by Denise Cunningham, an advanced nurse practitioner in epilepsy, at 11am in the after-school room in the Killinarden Community Centre.
On Thursday, March 12, the conference room in Tallaght Library will be the location of a talk about women’s health, with an emphasis on continence and stroke, at 11.15am.
The talk will be delivered by Dr Rónán Collins, a consultant physician in geriatric and stroke medicine, and Victoria Doyle, a continence care clinical nurse manager.
On Wednesday, April 22, a talk on arthritis prevention, which will look at ways to minimise the risk of developing the condition, will be given by consultant rheumatologist Professor Ronan Mullen, at 3pm in the youth room in St Kevin’s Resource Centre in Kilnamanagh.
The final talk for this year’s Let’s Talk Health Spring/Summer Series will be held on Thursday, May 14, at 6.30pm in the conference room in Tallaght Library, where consultant psychiatrist Professor Veronica O’Keane will look at depression, and effective ways in which the illness can be managed.
Dr Peter Lavin, Consultant Nephrologist and Medical Director of TUH said: “At TUH we are focused on the community and ensuring good public health information into the community.
“Following the success of our Let’s Talk Health series of talks in recent years, we are delighted to yet again be bringing these events to the community.
“We have had great interest in the talks and I know this series will also result in increased public awareness around some common health conditions which will result in better prevention and treatment.”
Chair of the PCAC, Catherine Heaney said: “We are delighted that the Let’s Talk Health series of talks is continuing.
“We know the benefits to patients and their families when awareness of health conditions increases and issues are understood.
“We are also delighted that this series will have a special talk on women’s health just after International Women’s Day in partnership with Tallaght Library.”
She added: “I am once again delighted to see so many of the clinical staff at the hospital show their commitment to these talks.”
