Background
In April 2017, the National Social inclusion Office (National Primary Care Division) launched a new website www.hsesocialinclusion.ie that contains information and support for staff who provide services to a wide range of vulnerable people. The remit of Social inclusion includes:
- Addiction services
- Homelessness health
- Intercultural health (including asylum seekers, refugees and migrants)
- Irish Traveller and Roma services
- LGBT
- HIV and AIDS
- Domestic, sexual and gender based violence
- Community development
Poverty and social exclusion have a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of the population and it is important that staff across the HSE who support people with these needs can access up to date information, resources, translation supports, links to voluntary organisations etc. to assist service users. They also want service users to be able to use this website. The website is aimed at improving access to mainstream and targeted health services for people from disadvantaged groups and helping us all to reduce inequalities in health.
They have developed a range of tools, support and information on their website, including:
- Lost in Translation? A guide for HSE staff on Planning, Managing and Assuring Quality Translations of Health Related Material and Other Languages. www.hse.ie/lostintranslation
- Health Services Intercultural Guide; Responding to the needs of diverse religious communities and cultures in healthcare settings www.hse.ie/interculturalguide
- Apps to support the delivery of intercultural health
They welcome feedback on the site. If you have any amendments/comments or if you would like to see additional information on www.hsesocialinclusion.ie please email them at socialinclusion@hse.ie.