Irish
health service launches National Intercultural Health Strategy
To
mark the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, the Health Service
Executive (HSE) which manages all health services in Ireland has
launched an intercultural health strategy which promotes greater
access and inclusion of minority ethnic communities, migrants and
asylum seekers in the health service.
The
strategy, which is the result of a widespread two year national,
regional and local consultation process, was officially launched by
the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD and the CEO of
the HSE, Professor Brendan Drum at an event in Dublin on 21 February.
Speaking
at the event Mr Drum said: “We must ensure that our services are
provided equally to all and respond appropriately to the specific
health needs of new and well established minority communities.”
In
recent years, Ireland has experienced a rapid growth in ethnic,
religious and cultural diversity. The most recent Census (2006)
shows that one in ten of Ireland’s population is now non-Irish.
This diversity builds on the diversity (albeit in relatively small
numbers) that has always existed in Ireland. Most of the recent
inward migration into Ireland is closely linked to the very rapid
economic growth rates experienced over the past decade and athe
concomitant skills and labour shortages. This is clearly reflected
in the health service where 33 per cent of those working in the
medical and dental fields and 14 per cent of nurses and midwives are
from overseas.
The
primary objective of the strategy is to provide a framework through
which service providers are supported in addressing the unique care
and support needs of people from diverse cultural and ethnic
backgrounds.
“It is widely acknowledged that people from minority groups are at
increased risk from poverty and social exclusion. Irish Travellers,
asylum seekers, refugees and migrant workers are especially
vulnerable and members of these groups may be exposed to racism and
discrimination,” said Ms. Alice O’Flynn, HSE Assistant
National Director for Social Inclusion at the launch, “This coupled
with language and cultural barriers may further compromise health and
well being. This strategy advises on the optimum way towards planning
and delivering of care and support in an equal, accessible and
effective way, while acknowledging and valuing the diversity of all
service users and providers.”
Among
the key priorities set out in the strategy are:
The
delivery of services on the basis of equality of access.
The provision of
information in culturally appropriate and accessible formats, as
well as greater availability of professional interpretation and
translation services.
To ensure that the HSE reflects
the diversity of current Irish society and that there is commitment
at all levels of the organisation to interculturalism and equality.
Greater staff awareness and understanding of the needs of different
cultural, religious and ethnic groups.
To continue to work in
partnership with minority ethnic communities to ensure their ongoing
participation in service developments.
The National
Coordinating Body of EY/ID 2008 in Ireland, the National Consultative
Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) was a member of the
steering group which oversaw the development of the intercultural
health strategy.
To download a
copy of the strategy go to:
http://www.hse.ie/en/Publications/HSEPublicationsNew/
HSECorporatePlans/InterculturalHealthStrategy/
