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Consultation process for National Inclusion Health Framework launched in UCC
A public consultation process to inform the development of an Inclusion Health Framework for Ireland was launched in UCC today.
The Department of Health has contracted the Inclusion Health Research Group (IHRG) in the College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork to undertake the public consultation process. The framework will ensure an inclusion health approach across all aspects of health policy and practice going forward.
Minister Colm Burke, Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy today launched the consultation for this Inclusion Health Framework in the Jennings Gallery, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex in UCC.
Focus on socially excluded groups
The focus of the framework will be on socially excluded groups who experience severe health inequalities eg people who are homeless, Travellers, Roma, ex-offenders, people who use drugs and alcohol.
Professor Stephen Byrne, Deputy President and Registrar UCC congratulated all involved.
“We are delighted the Inclusion Health Research Group led by Dr. Angela Flynn in the College of Medicine and Health in UCC have been successful in responding to the tender offer from the Department of Health to undertake a public consultation on the formation of an Inclusion Health Framework. University College Cork and the College of Medicine and Health have a strong track record in patient and public involvement and have established robust policies to enable respectful, rewarding and positive involvement”.
Professor Helen Whelton, Head of the College of Medicine and Health UCC said:
“We welcome this public consultation for a national Inclusion Health Framework and we are delighted the Inclusion Health Research Group based in University College Cork will undertake this consultation process. This group was founded by Dr. Angela Flynn in UCC’s School of Nursing and Midwifery in 2021. The Inclusion Health Research Group are a dedicated interdisciplinary group of academics, researchers and practitioners committed to establishing more equitable and inclusive health care provision. This wide multidisciplinary approach will ensure a strong public consultation resulting in an excellent inclusion health framework for Ireland”.
Opportunity to hear directly from those with lived experience of exclusion
Dr. Angela Flynn, Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery UCC said:
“We are delighted to be part of shaping an Inclusion Health Framework for Ireland. The multidisciplinary nature of our Inclusion Health Research Group here in the College of Medicine and Health in UCC positions us very well to undertake this multimethod public consultation. Each of us have many years working in the health services, working closely with marginalised communities and preparing the next generations of health professionals. We see all too often evidence of the inequalities that exist in society and in many aspects of modern life. We welcome the opportunity to hear directly from those with lived experience of exclusion and to ensure their voices will inform an inclusion health approach across all aspects of health policy and practice”.
Minister Colm Burke said:
“I am delighted to launch the consultation for the Inclusion Health Framework. Inclusion Health is a much-needed approach to healthcare which focuses on the most vulnerable members of our community. An important aspect of the development of the Framework will be the involvement of those who will benefit from the service and of members of the public. Their involvement in this context ensures their input on planning and research from start to finish. This is crucial in creating an environment where those using services, those delivering the services and policymakers are all working in partnership to improve the quality, safety and experience of healthcare and to ensure that the care provided is person centred.”
The consultation will include two panels: one panel will act as a professional advisory panel while the other panel will be made up of people with lived experience. The main target groups for inclusion health services are people who experiencing homelessness, Travellers and Roma, migrants, refugees, beneficiaries of temporary protection and international protection applicants, victims/survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), and people who use drugs and alcohol.
Other groups include ex-prisoners, sex workers and survivors of institutional abuse. However, the consultation process will inform the groups who should be prioritised in inclusion health services.
The online survey will go live in July and all members of the public are encouraged to complete it. It will be available on the Department of Health website. It is envisaged that the Framework will be published by the end of 2024.