Sláintecare looks to hit ground running in Longford
Making a difference.
Three simple, yet straightforward words which were used to sum up the unveiling of a new countywide healthy eating blueprint aimed at breaking down the barriers to active living while fostering real and lasting change across all sectors of society.
Frank Feighan, Minister of State with Responsibility for Public Health, set the seal on Sláintecare Healthy Communities in front of an engrossed crowd of onlookers at Longford County Council’s headquarters on Monday.
A total of six new programmes fronted by Longford Community Resources Limited, Employment Development Information (EDI) Centre and Lus Na Gréine Family Resource Centre were disclosed, all of which aim to engender a more health focused approach across communities throughout county Longford.
“The health service cannot make these changes happen alone,” said Mr Feighan.
“To make real and lasting changes we need to work together.
“The work will also be guided by a local team put together from representatives from across the community.
“Our local community partners know better than anyone else what challenges this community faces and the strengths within it.”
Those programmes, Mr Feighan alluded to range from stop smoking, healthy cooking and nutrition to supporting healthy behaviours and positive parenting.
“There seems to be a real sense or empowerment for those who become involved in the programmes and making real and positive change for the people in the community,” he added, revealing the programmes were all free and came after a “once off” funding injection of €250,000 was made available to Longford County Council.
Two videos showing the type of work undertaken at local level by the local authority and HSE officials were also shown.
Among the highlights included showing improved accessibility via cycleways and pedestrian connections to Ballyminion Primary Care Centre while also taking in the Farneyhoogan and Gleann Riada housing estates.
HSE Community Health Organisation Midlands Louth Meath Chief Officer Des O’Flynn said Slaintecare’s “rounded, inclusive and all-encompassing” approach bore all the required traits to be a success going forward.
It was a statement which Cllr Colm Murray, chairperson of Longford Community Development Committee (LCDC), said the latter’s involvement was purely an administrative one to ensure the programme provides complimentary services between the local authority, HSE and Slaintecare as a whole.
“We don’t want to have duplication because duplication can lead to diluted results and that is the last thing we want,” he said.
At first glance, Slaintecare’s development and impact is already starting to bear fruit and impact positively the communities it has been initiated to represent.