HSE Partner Pack 24th March 2023

Health service updates and information

Norovirus cases on the rise in Ireland

The HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is asking people to be aware of the symptoms of norovirus and to learn how to help stop the spread of infection as cases of the virus are increasing in Ireland. Norovirus, also known as winter vomiting bug, is an easily spread virus that causes sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhoea.

In the first 10 weeks of 2023 there have been 394 cases of norovirus recorded. This is almost four times the number of cases recorded in the first 10 weeks of 2022 (109). Young children and elderly people have been the most affected with half of cases (50%) aged over 65 years and (28%) of cases aged under 5 years.

Tips to prevent spread of Norovirus:

• Frequent handwashing including before eating or preparing food and after using the bathroom.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
• Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with virus after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap).
• Flush or discard any vomit and/or faeces in the toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is kept clean.

The public are being urged to visit the HSE website to find out more about the norovirus. In addition, new guidance on managing norovirus in residential care settings has been published by the HPSC here.

Injury Unit and Acute Medical Assessment Unit open at Wexford General Hospital

The Emergency Department in Wexford General Hospital remains closed.

While the Emergency Department remains closed, an Injury Unit and an Acute Medical Assessment Unit are open in the hospital’s Emergency Department Building.

The Injury Unit is open from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week, and can treat patients from three years of age and older for minor injuries like broken bones, sprains, wounds and minor scalds and burns. Call ahead on 053 9153313 to check the injury unit is the right place for you.

The Acute Medical Assessment Unit is open from 8:30am to 7pm, seven days a week, for patients aged 16 and older and treats chest pain, heart failure, chest infections, headaches, seizures, collapse and more. Access to the unit will require a GP referral.

These services are temporary measures until the hospital’s Emergency Department becomes fully functional again.

For more information, please visit hse.ie/WexfordHospital

Getting ready for Advance Healthcare Directives under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015: Webinar 29^th March 2023 

This webinar, on 29th March from 5:30-7pm, is for all healthcare workers, in particular clinicians. The webinar will give an overview of Advance Healthcare Directives, with focus on some practical, legal, mental health service and personal considerations along with information about the Decision Support Service Codes of Practice relating to Advance Healthcare Directives.

You can register for the webinar here.

This is event is organised by the HSE National Office of Human Rights and Equality Policy and HSE Strategy and Research.

Take back control from smoking this March

The HSE is inviting people who smoke to take the 28-day no smoking challenge this March. Join thousands of others who have used the HSE QUIT service to stop smoking. To get your free QUIT plan and free support, including free NRT, sign up here.

Dementia: Understand Together launching new dementia inclusive community symbol

On Tuesday 28^th March, Minister Butler will launch the New Dementia Inclusive Community symbol. The symbol has been developed with people with dementia at its heart. By displaying it in our communities, we hope to raise awareness for dementia and also show solidarity with more than 64,000 people living with the condition in Ireland.

More information and resources are included in the pack available at the bottom of this message, or you can visit www.understandtogether.ie/get-involved  

Mental health and wellbeing of people from migrant communities in Ireland

A new module has been designed to help staff to develop a broader cultural awareness regarding the mental health and wellbeing of people from migrant communities in Ireland. It is relevant to all staff of the HSE and HSE funded agencies whose role may include supporting or interacting with people from migrant communities.

You can find the module here.

HSE and MTU promoting mental health literacy among students

Many students experience ongoing stress, anxiety, low mood and sleep difficulties. The HSE and Munster Technological University (MTU) are encouraging students to make the connection between these difficulties and their mental health and to seek help at the earliest opportunity from MTU and HSE’s wide range of services and resources including online tools at yourmentalhealth.ie/

Women’s health “Menopause, Let’s Talk About It” campaign 

This campaign is a second phase of the Government-led drive to inform and educate everyone about menopause. The Department of Health Women’s Health Taskforce has developed a nationwide campaign, aimed at women and everyone in their lives, encouraging them to remove the taboo around menopause by talking about it.  

This campaign will run from 11 March to 16 April across TV, Radio, Streaming, Social Media, Online and Search. Please help us get the message out to as many people as possible by sharing the social media posts across your social media channels. 

More information is included in the campaign pack available at the bottom of this message, thank you for helping to share the campaign with your networks.

Steps to Health challenge 2023 – registration now open

Steps to Health encourages staff to get out walking and counting their daily steps to improve their physical and mental health. Registration is now open. The challenge will take place from May 8^th – June 11^th 2023 so register your team now at hse.ie/stepschallenge.

Want to participate?

• Form a team of between 2 and 10 participants
• Choose a team co-ordinator and a team name
• Your team co-ordinator can register your team and order step counters if you need them, up until 19 April.

Visit hse.ie/stepschallenge for more information

COVID-19 information

COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to 4 years

COVID-19 vaccination is available to children aged 6 months and older to give them protection against serious COVID-19 illness.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has recommended COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to 4 years with underlying conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19.

NIAC has also recommended that COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to all others in this age group to protect them from severe disease, provide extra protection from the rare risks of serious illness from COVID-19 (e.g. multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children), as well as providing the modest benefit in reducing household transmission to those immunocompromised or too young for vaccination.

NIAC has also stressed the safety profile of the vaccine and the comparable immunogenicity to that in older children and adolescents.

The HSE has provided information on our website here to help parents make an informed decision.

You can find out how to book your child's COVID-19 vaccine appointment here. 

Clinic details will be updated on www.hse.ie on a rolling basis so parents are advised to check the website for updates on clinic availability in the coming weeks. 

Get your COVID-19 booster vaccine

It’s important that all eligible people avail of the COVID-19 booster to protect themselves and those around them from serious COVID-19 illness.

All people in the 18-49 years age group are eligible for their second COVID-19 booster, provided it is six months since their last vaccine or since they had a COVID-19 infection.

The HSE strongly urges people who have not yet received a COVID-19 booster vaccine to check their vaccine status and to do so as soon as possible. You can do this by contacting HSELive on 1800 700 700.

Booster COVID-19 vaccines are available at Community Vaccination Centres, participating GPs and pharmacies and information on getting your booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is available here.

Advice for people at higher risk from COVID-19

You should contact a doctor urgently if you are at higher risk and you have COVID-19 symptoms or you have a positive COVID-19 PCR or antigen test.

Some people who are at higher risk from COVID-19 may be recommended for treatments. If your doctor decides that treatment is right for you, you’ll start treatment as soon as possible. Treatment for COVID-19 is free of charge through the HSE if it is recommended for you.

If COVID-19 treatment is not recommended for you, your doctor will provide you with the care that is right for your condition and symptoms.

You can find more information here and also information on how to stay safe here.

COVID-19 vaccine resources

The HSE produces and regularly updates resources for the COVID-19 vaccine. You can visit the COVID-19 vaccine materials page for the latest leaflets and booklets including information on boosters and vaccines for children.

COVID-19 Testing 

Details are available here.

COVID-19 information in other languages 

Visit hse.ie/translations for a range of COVID-19 vaccine information videos and resources that have been produced in other languages, including information on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. 

Information videos on COVID-19 vaccination for parents of children aged 5-11 are available here. 

Public Health resources

Health service information for Ukrainian nationals

• Updated mental health supports information is here
• Disability services information is here
• Healthcare services information is here
• COVID-19 information is here
• COVID-19 vaccination video, Dr Oksana Kozdoba, a Pediatrician from Ukraine, shares information about the vaccination programme in Ireland. She covers the vaccines offered in Ireland to protect babies, school children and adults.

COVID-19

For updated information and advice on Coronavirus, please go to:

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/. Clinical and professional guidance relating to COVID-19 is available on www.hpsc.ie where you’ll find up to date guidance for healthcare settings and non-clinical settings.

Please check here for partner resources for COVID-19.

You can find translated resources here.

You can find the COVID-19 A-Z information here from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

You can view the latest information on how Ireland is responding to cases of COVID-19 here.

Ireland’s COVID-19 Data Hub is available here.

If your organisation has any requests in relation to COVID-19 public health information materials, please reply directly to this email to let us know.

Many thanks,

Kahlil & Katie

COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement, HSE Communications