New series of Community Health Talks commences
By Mary Dennehy
TALLAGHT University Hospital has announced its schedule for a new series of free Community Health Talks, which will run from March until May.
The spring/summer schedule will consist of nine community talks on a wide range of health issues such as kidney disease, chronic lung disease COPD, how to spot the signs of a stroke and minding the skin you are in.
Catherine Heaney and Dr Catherine Wall.
Building on last year’s success, the community health talks are a multidisciplinary-led initiative that is run in partnership with the Patient Community Advisory Council (PCAC).
Staff from Tallaght University Hospital (TUH), including doctors, nurse specialists and consultants, deliver the talks.
Speaking about the series, which is staged in community-based settings, Catherine Heaney, Chair of PCAC and co-ordinator of the Fettercairn Community Health Project, said: “When we began this initiative three years ago it was very much a ‘toe in the water’ approach to get health information out into our community.
“The growing number of people attending the events and groups looking to host talks really demonstrate the role people want to play in learning about and looking after their own and family members’ health.
“I have no doubt that this year we will build on that success given that service users and the local community has been so engaged in shaping the series and ensuring clinicians talk about health issues that they feel strongly about.
“This series is about bringing the local community together but also further integrating the hospital and the local community.”
Dr Catherine Wall, Consultant Nephrologist and lead Clinical Director at TUH stressed that the talks are a great way to promote greater public awareness around common health conditions.
“Education is one of the most important aspects of long term sustainable health”, Dr Wall said.
Talk, Location and Date.
Managing Long Term Illness and Minding your Mental Heal in Tallaght Library on March 20 at 6.15pm
COPD – How to Manage in Killinarden Community Centre on March 26 at 11am
Minding the Skin you are In in Old Bawn Community School on April 2 at 7.30pm
Arthritis in An Cosan, Jobstown on April 10 at 11am
Stroke: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment in Kilnamanagh Family Recreation Centre on April 25 at 11am
Men’s Health, Looking Under the Bonnet in Firhouse Community and Leisure Centre on May 15 at 6.15pm
How to look after your Liver in Tallaght Library on May 16 at 6pm
For further information visit www.tuh.ie
