Primary Health Care- A model of good practice
Primary Health Care (PHC) has been identified and used as an
innovative approach to health care in the developing world. The concept of PHC
was established at the joint World Health Organisation (WHO)/United Nations International
Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in 1978 where it was acknowledged that
health was not just a concern for health care professionals but the concern of
society as a whole.
PHC in communities
means enabling individuals and organisations to improve health through informed
health care, self help and mutual aid. Successful PHC projects have emphasised
a process that values empowerment, partnership and advocacy when designing and
implementing health care interventions. PHC is “the first level of contact of
individuals, the family and community with the national system, bringing health
care as close as possible to where people live and work, and constitutes the
first element of a continuing health care process” (Alma Ata Declaration 1978).
The National Strategy for Traveller Health 2002-2005 recommended the development of PHC projects in the Traveller community based on the communities own values and perceptions so that positive outcomes can have a positive effect. A PHC project was piloted in October 1994 by Pavee Point in partnership with the then Eastern Health Board in the Finglas area; there are now over 40 PHC projects nationally with the core principles of
Community Health Worker (CHW) role:
The National Strategy for Traveller Health 2002-2005 recommended the development of PHC projects in the Traveller community based on the communities own values and perceptions so that positive outcomes can have a positive effect. A PHC project was piloted in October 1994 by Pavee Point in partnership with the then Eastern Health Board in the Finglas area; there are now over 40 PHC projects nationally with the core principles of
- Establishing a model of Traveller participation in the promotion of health
- To develop the skills of Traveller women in providing community based health services
- To liaise and assist in creating dialogue between Travellers and health service providers
- To highlight gaps in health service delivery to Travellers and work towards reducing inequalities that exist in established services
- Currently MTSG has 2 Primary Health Care Programmes based in Ballina & Castlebar with 11 Community Health Workers employed. The projects work with over 350 Traveller families throughout the whole of the county
- All CHW’s took part in training in Primary Health Care and gained a Fetac qualification.
Community Health Worker (CHW) role:
- Promoting health-delivering health info to provide a better life for the Traveller community
- Linking with services and trying to help service providers understand our culture
- Reaching out to the community
- Signposting – directing people to the relevant appropriate services
- Represent Travellers positively
- Build relationship with the settled community
- Change future for Travellers for next generation
- Look at broader determinants of health such as Domestic Violence, Accommodation, education, discrimination, environment
- Go out and give information to other Travellers, information on health, screening , pregnancy-information for all ages
- Attend meetings-find out more information so you can give out more and for settled people to understand issues for Travellers
