Partnerships
INVESTING FOR HEALTH
What's it all about? : In March 2002, the Department of Health Social Services & Personal Safety published its Public Health strategy called "Investing for Health". It seeks to tackle the root causes of ill health and address the inequalities in health that exist between the richest and poorest sections of our society.
Who's Involved?: Social and Voluntary partners include: Elected Representatives; Representatives from Local Strategy Partnerships; existing Health and Wellbeing Partnerships and a representative from the Southern Health & Social Services Council as well as representatives from the Community sector in each of the three localities within the Southern area.
Statutory partners include Health & Social Services Board and Trusts, representatives from the City, District and Borough Councils, the N. Ireland Housing Executive, the Southern Education & Library Board and the Local Health & Social Care Groups, Southern Group Environmental Health.
What will this Partnership do? : The Southern 'Investing for Health Partnership' will identify initiatives, programmes and action that can be facilitated by partners working together, to make a real difference to the health and well-being of people locally.
If you would like to find out more contact:
Lyn Donnelly, Investing for Health Manager, Tel: 028 3741 4606 or by e-mail at: lyndo@shssb.n-i.nhs.uk or log on to the Southern Investing for Health website www.southernifh.com
HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Southern Investing for Health 'Dares to Dream' (Press Release - Wed 17th December 2003)
The Southern Investing for Health Partnership has launched its first Health Improvement Plan, 'Dare to Dream' at Banbridge Leisure Centre.
Speaking at the launch Mr Colm Donaghy, Chair of the Southern Investing for Health Partnership said: “Under the Government's Investing for Health Strategy, each Partnership is required to develop a Health Improvement Plan to address the health and wellbeing needs for their area and to meet its strategic aims and objectives. 'Dare to Dream' is the first Health Improvement Plan for the Southern Area. It will now be used as a baseline on which to develop our plans year after year.
He continued: “Dare to Dream is bold and different. It gets right down to a local community level to tackle the core issues that effect the wellbeing of people living and working in this area such as poverty, education, long-term illness and health and safety awareness. It identifies areas that could make a significant difference to health inequalities, which we will seek to resource and realise.”
Special guests at the event included Paedar Connolly from the Southern Board area who won a bronze medal at the Special Olympics this year and Veronica McCreesh from the Women's Family Health Initiative in South Armagh who dedicated a poem especially to the Partnership. Attendees then joined a GP referral group in a brief exercise session before being treated to some healthy refreshments.
For further information contact: Shirlie Murtagh, Acting PR Manager SHSSB-Partnerships (028) 3741 4531.
DARE TO DREAM
IMAGINE if every time you spoke, somebody listened
And not only did they listen, they responded
Think of the opposite, you're feeling ignored
You must be invisible – your audience has absconded
IMAGINE a world that is vibrant and bright
A haven of peace, no chaos nor confusion
Picture a world that is dark and oppressing
Lives lived in poverty and social exclusion
IMAGINE if your neighbourhood was where you felt at home
Where flowers bloomed in window boxes and trees grew in a row
Feel the fear of broken windows and unlit alleyways
Where pride is seldom present and morale is sinking low
IMAGINE a healthy environment and an affordable home
A clear blue stream with the air fresh and mild
But see the poverty and the homelessness
Hear the sobs of a crying child
IMAGINE the pride of a student – on Graduation Day
Bright prospects, opportunity, a new opening in life
To sacrifice an education so parents can pay their bills
To get sucked into a spiral of misery and strife
IMAGINE if everyone shared the same aims and objectives
The promoting of health – the goal of wellbeing
A positive outlook, self help and support
All sharing and caring – all people agreeing
IMAGINE improving the health of all of our people
Reducing inequality – building self esteem
Let us go forward – investing for health
IMAGINE what can be – if only – if only we
DARE TO DREAM
Veronica McCreesh.