Menu
02/03/2004
Community partnerships can lead to better health says lecturer
Community partnerships can lead to overall better health, providing the state and local people are committed to them, a University of Ulster lecturer has said.
In her report entitled, A Partnership Approach to Health Promotion: a Case Study from Northern Ireland, Dr Deirdre Heenan, Senior Lecturer from the Faculty of Social Sciences, says local communities can be empowered by community-based health promotion projects.
“In recent years there has been a renewal of interest in community development and partnership approaches in the delivery of health and social services in Northern Ireland," she said.
“It is widely accepted that traditional individualistic methods of health care delivery have failed to effectively tackle inequalities.”
Dr Heenan’s research is based on a case study of a community health partnership in the Creggan area of Derry City. She attributes the success of this local partnership to the continuing and increasing involvement of local people.
“Training local people to facilitate courses and programmes is an integral part of the Creggan Health Information Project and has led to increased levels of self-confidence and self-belief.
“The sense of ownership of the process of health promotion has encouraged and promoted a belief that health awareness can positively influence communities.
“This project provides evidence of how local people can actually be encouraged to take control of their lives. It demonstrates that professional boundaries can be crossed, and a more open, flexible approach to health and social needs can be adopted,” she said.
Dr Heenan called on health promoters in the community to recognise that the community’s greatest resource for health are its members.
"The process of building a partnership can be time-consuming, demanding high levels of commitment, therefore its is crucial that those involved feel that their input is acknowledged and valued.
“The government’s commitment to community development is meaningless rhetoric unless it is supported by education programmes, research, training, resources and long term commitments. If it is to be an effective, vibrant, creative method of engagement, community development must be embedded in the planning and delivery of services, and not an isolated marginal activity driven by committed individuals," she concluded.
(MB)
In her report entitled, A Partnership Approach to Health Promotion: a Case Study from Northern Ireland, Dr Deirdre Heenan, Senior Lecturer from the Faculty of Social Sciences, says local communities can be empowered by community-based health promotion projects.
“In recent years there has been a renewal of interest in community development and partnership approaches in the delivery of health and social services in Northern Ireland," she said.
“It is widely accepted that traditional individualistic methods of health care delivery have failed to effectively tackle inequalities.”
Dr Heenan’s research is based on a case study of a community health partnership in the Creggan area of Derry City. She attributes the success of this local partnership to the continuing and increasing involvement of local people.
“Training local people to facilitate courses and programmes is an integral part of the Creggan Health Information Project and has led to increased levels of self-confidence and self-belief.
“The sense of ownership of the process of health promotion has encouraged and promoted a belief that health awareness can positively influence communities.
“This project provides evidence of how local people can actually be encouraged to take control of their lives. It demonstrates that professional boundaries can be crossed, and a more open, flexible approach to health and social needs can be adopted,” she said.
Dr Heenan called on health promoters in the community to recognise that the community’s greatest resource for health are its members.
"The process of building a partnership can be time-consuming, demanding high levels of commitment, therefore its is crucial that those involved feel that their input is acknowledged and valued.
“The government’s commitment to community development is meaningless rhetoric unless it is supported by education programmes, research, training, resources and long term commitments. If it is to be an effective, vibrant, creative method of engagement, community development must be embedded in the planning and delivery of services, and not an isolated marginal activity driven by committed individuals," she concluded.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 September 2021
£8.7m Boost For Mental Health Services
Charitable and community mental health services are set to benefit from a new £8.7 million support grant, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.
£8.7m Boost For Mental Health Services
Charitable and community mental health services are set to benefit from a new £8.7 million support grant, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.
19 September 2019
Strabane Gains New Community Health Facility
A new state-of-the-art community health facility is now operating in Strabane. Local residents have access to the building, which includes offices, a meeting room, counselling room, kitchen, toilet areas and large communal meeting room.
Strabane Gains New Community Health Facility
A new state-of-the-art community health facility is now operating in Strabane. Local residents have access to the building, which includes offices, a meeting room, counselling room, kitchen, toilet areas and large communal meeting room.
26 September 2024
PHA Makes Accessing Contraception Easier On World Contraception Day
In recognition of World Contraception Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the importance of informed choices in sexual and reproductive health. They're reminding residents of Northern Ireland about the various resources available to easily access contraception and learn about different methods.
PHA Makes Accessing Contraception Easier On World Contraception Day
In recognition of World Contraception Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the importance of informed choices in sexual and reproductive health. They're reminding residents of Northern Ireland about the various resources available to easily access contraception and learn about different methods.
25 October 2024
Health Minister Unveils New Initiative To Tackle Health Inequalities
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of Live Better, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing health inequalities in Northern Ireland. The program will initially focus on neighbourhoods in Belfast and L'Derry, with plans to expand to other communities if successful.
Health Minister Unveils New Initiative To Tackle Health Inequalities
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of Live Better, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing health inequalities in Northern Ireland. The program will initially focus on neighbourhoods in Belfast and L'Derry, with plans to expand to other communities if successful.
18 October 2021
Swann Praises Ongoing Vaccine Uptake
Northern Ireland's Health Minister Robin Swann has hailed the importance of localised initiatives to further improve the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination uptake. A push to offer vaccinations in rural areas has led to more than 1,600 jabs being administered.
Swann Praises Ongoing Vaccine Uptake
Northern Ireland's Health Minister Robin Swann has hailed the importance of localised initiatives to further improve the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination uptake. A push to offer vaccinations in rural areas has led to more than 1,600 jabs being administered.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
