Social inclusion services (p.30-31)

Improving health outcomes for the most vulnerable in society is the key focus of social inclusion services. This includes provision of targeted interventions for people from marginalised groups who experience health inequalities, have difficulties accessing services and present with multiple, complex health and support needs. Various studies have illustrated that homeless, Traveller and migrant populations face greater healthcare needs than the general population. Primary care has a major role to play in relation to the health of people with addictions or who are homeless and in delivering on commitments such as the Refugee Relocation Programme. Vulnerable people and communities include Travellers and Roma, asylum seekers, refugees and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex service users.

Priorities 2018

Improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable in society including those with addiction issues, the homeless, refugees, asylum seekers and Traveller and Roma communities.

Addiction services

• • Implement actions in Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025 for which the HSE has lead responsibility.
  • Establish a supervised injecting facility in the Dublin city centre area.
  • Expand drug and alcohol treatment services with a particular focus on strengthening governance structures, increasing access to opioid substitution treatment by reducing waiting times across CHO areas, and by providing increased access to buprenorphine / naloxone and buprenorphine only products (200 episodes).
  • Expand naloxone training and distribution to target a reduction in drug-related deaths and non-fatal overdoses.
  • Recruit two additional drug and alcohol liaison midwives. 

Homeless services

• Implement the health actions, identified as a priority in 2018, in Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, 2016, in order to provide the most appropriate primary care and specialist addiction / mental health services for homeless people.