Jump to page content

Providing Services to Young People in an Accessible and Effective Way

20 November 2006
print version send to a friend

The Strategic Planning and Reform Implementation Unit of the HSE allocated €60,000 to the development of services for young people through the provision of grants to agencies and groups who can show they are offering services to young people in an accessible and effective way.

This funding allocation has provided the opportunity for the Health Promotion Department of the Population Health Directorate of the HSE to work in partnership with the Irish College of General Practitioners and GP practices in supporting the development of services for young people.

There was a high level of interest in this initiative. Thirty two practices applied, with more than a dozen others expressing interest. The Selection Committee, composed of HSE and ICGP representatives, were impressed by the high quality of the applications which described a range of innovative approaches. The initial intention had been to award four grants but six were ultimately awarded. The successful applicants were:

  • Dr Cathy Banstead, Carrigaline, Cork
  • Dr Craig Bishop, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow
  • Dr Mairead Cassidy, Carlton Clinic, Bray, Co Wicklow
  • Dr Velma Harkins, Banagher, Co Offaly
  • Dr Brian Norton, Ballybay, Co Monaghan
  • Dr Marie Scully, Navan, Co Meath

The Selection Committee also identified a number of other projects they believe should be supported and efforts are ongoing to secure additional funding to support these. All applicants have been informed of the status of their proposal by the Director of the Women's Health Programme.

Each of the successful practices will complete a project to improve accessibility and effectiveness of young people's services within their practices over the next six months. The findings from these projects will identify models of good practice in this area and the practices will be invited to present their findings at the ICGP 3rd Annual Women's Health Conference on Saturday May 26th 2007.

The large number of applicants and the high quality of the submissions received indicate that this is an area where GPs and practice nurses are interested in developing services and have given considerable thought to how this might best be achieved.

Well done to all applicants.

Ailís ní Riain, ICGP and Sharon Parkinson, HSE

Other Articles