Guidance on infectious disease assessment for migrants is now available as a user-friendly toolkit on the HPSC website at: http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/SpecificPopulations/Migrants/MigrantToolkit/. This toolkit is based on a guidance document that was developed by a sub-committee of the HPSC Scientific Advisory Committee and published earlier this year. The complete guidance document is also accessible from the same website page.
The purpose of these guidelines is to offer best practice advice in relation to the assessment of common infectious diseases in migrants. They are intended for use by any healthcare professional involved in consultation with migrants in settings such as primary care, specialist services for migrants, antenatal clinics, prison medical services or hospitals. The guidelines are intended to facilitate opportunistic assessment and do not constitute a formal screening programme. Participation on the part of the migrant is on a voluntary basis.
In general, these guidelines are most applicable to migrants from countries where the prevalence of certain infectious diseases is higher than in Ireland. For updates on current or new issues related to migrants, please check the News Section of the HPSC website and the following A-Z section: http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/SpecificPopulations/Migrants/.
Key recommendation
For all new entrants to the Irish healthcare system, please ensure that they receive the appropriate immunisation as soon as possible, according to the national immunisation guidelines, available at http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/
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