HSE CEO makes visit to Kilkenny service centre
It was the new CEO’s first visit to Kilkenny since taking up the role earlier this year
The Kilkenny Initiative for Training and Education (KITE) day services centre at Cedarwood, Loughboy, Kilkenny hosted a visit by the CEO of the HSE on Wednesday.
Anne O’Connor, who was appointed as the HSE’s CEO in March of this year, was on her first visit to Kilkenny since taking up the position. She spoke to staff and service users at the HSE outreach and day service for adults with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The CEO was accompanied on her visit to KITE by Roseanne Killeen (Integrated Healthcare Area Manager, Carlow-Kilkenny/Tipperary South, HSE Dublin and South East), Aoife O’Donohue (Assistant National Director, HSE Disability Services) and Aoife Fitzgerald (HSE’s Disability Care Day Services Manager, Carlow-Kilkenny/Tipperary South).
Speaking about the CEO’s visit, KITE Services Manager Yinka Beehan said: “As staff and service users, we were delighted that the CEO of the HSE came to our premises in Cedarwood. After a tour of the property and our garden, there was time for tea, chat and to hear directly from users themselves.”
“As we illustrated for the CEO on the day, KITE’s role includes the provision of support, guidance and training to service providers in the development and delivery of services to adults with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.”
“The KITE service also offers direct services to adults with an ASD/Asperger’s syndrome through the provision of focused training programmes in areas such as social skills development, stress management, anger management, independent living skills and self-organisation.”
A Person-Centred approach is key to KITE and its services. KITE offers supports and possible opportunities including: Community Inclusion and Active Citizenship; Development of relationships with peers and the wider community; Health and Wellbeing and Increased Independent access in the local communty.
In addition, KITE supports individuals during their college year to access educational supports, plan and organise workload and navigate the social world.
Currently, KITE operates six sites: two in Kilkenny, consisting of a day service and an outreach service; one in Carlow and three in County Wexford (located in Gorey, Enniscorthy and Wexford).