An event was held at the Kilcannon Garden Centre in Enniscorthy last Thursday November 29^th to launch the Health Service Executive’s Traveller Community Health Worker Service in Co. Wexford.  Having completed a four year Primary Health Care Project, four women are now employed by the HSE as Traveller Community Health Workers. Their role is to improve the health status of their community.  Among those to speak at the official launch were Mr. Con Pierce (General Manager, HSE Wexford Community Services) and Ms. Mary Doyle (Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing, HSE Wexford Community Services) 

Addressing the gathering in Enniscorthy, Mr. Pierce said:

 “We have often heard it said that your health is your wealth. If this is true, then Travellers are certainly disadvantaged, as it is well established that Travellers enjoy at level of health well below that of the general community. In Wexford, the first Primary Healthcare project for Travellers was established in New Ross. It was co-ordinated initially by a Public Health Nurse and a Community Development Worker was also brought on board for the final two years of the project. The contract for the project was held by County Wexford Partnership, and the steering committee included representatives of the HSE, FÁS, the VEC and the Dept. of Social & Family Affairs.

 The curriculum for the course in New Ross included health, literacy, caring for children food and nutrition, first aid, drugs and alcohol awareness.  During the project the women had an opportunity to visit Wexford General Hospital and excellent relationships were developed between the women and Margaret Curran, Assistant Director of Nursing and her staff. All participants undertook work experience.”

Updating the audience on the day, Ms. Mary Doyle said:

“The project initiated in New Ross has met its aims and objectives and must be judged a success. An evaluation was commissioned by County Wexford Partnership. In it, you will read, that all the women reported an improvement in their health knowledge and the impact this change in knowledge has had on behaviour.  Practically speaking, the women involved attend meetings to represent the Traveller viewpoint, visit Traveller families in their homes and provide health education to womens groups. Currently, a primary healthcare project is up and running in Bunclody, where there are 15 participants. It is hoped some of these women will also be employed as Traveller Community Health Workers.”

Evaluation of New Ross Primary Healthcare Project

 

Pictured at an event were (left to right): Ann Connors, Mary Doyle (Asst. Director of Public Health Nursing, HSE Wexford Community Services), Polly Connors, Alice Connors, Mary Hughes (Public Health Nurse for Travellers, HSE Wexford Community Services) and Nan Connors.

 

Also in Kilcannon Garden Centre were (left to right): Polly Connors, John Nunn (CEO, Co Wexford Partnership), Ann Connors, Con Pierce (General Manager, HSE Wexford Community Services) Alice Connors and Nan Connors.

 

(left to right): Nan Connors, Ann Connors, Polly Connors, Marguerite Sweetman (Public Health Nurse, HSE Wexford Community Services), Alice Connors, Noreen Ardill (Community Development Worker, HSE Wexford Community Services).