Healthy communities programme launched

The launch of the Sláintecare healthy Communities programme in Kilmore/ Priorswood is an opportunity to improve quality of life in the area. The programme was launched by Cllr Dearbháil Butler, who deputised for Lord Mayor of Dublin, Caroline Conroy, at the Bell Centre in Darndale.

Sláintecare healthy Communities is a crossGovernment initiative to deliver increased health and wellbeing services in 19 areas of greatest need across Ireland.

Dr Jack Nolan, chair of the Darndale economic and Social Plan Implementation Oversight group, the community focused initiative of Dublin City Council for the area, welcomed the launch, saying the programme is critically important.

“A programme which provides opportunities for positive health outcomes among the people of Darndale, Belcamp and Priorswood is to be warmly welcomed and I urge everyone who can engage with it to do so in a meaningful way,” said Dr Nolan.

Kilmore/Priorswood

Sláintecare healthy Community programmes includes practical health interventions such as quit smoking services, parenting programmes, healthy food made easy and social prescribing (a non-medial approach). It also provides for the appointment of a community food and nutrition worker and the Making every Contact Count programme, which enables frontline staff to learn about lifestyle behaviours. The launch is a successful culmination of close collaboration between many partners including the Department of health, the hSe, Dublin City Council and local community organisations including Northside Partnership and Preparing for Life.

“The challenge of addressing health inequalities in our communities requires not only interventions to target particular health risks, but also a broad focus addressing the wider determinants of health,” said Cllr Butler.

“To make real and lasting change, we need to work together to create communities where people can thrive, putting in place the right building blocks for health, stable jobs, good pay, quality housing, good education