HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing

In this episode of HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing, host Noreen Turley is joined by Martina Blake, HSE National Lead for Tobacco Free Ireland, and Kirstie White from the HSE Quitline to explore vaping and nicotine products and what they really mean for young people’s health in Ireland. They challenge the idea that it is just “harmless vapour”, highlighting how flavours, colours and clever packagi...

In the final episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast for 2025, hosts Fergal, Noreen, and Eamon reflect on a year of inspiring conversations covering diverse health and wellbeing topics. They highlight the courage and authenticity of guests who shared personal stories on issues such as suicide bereavement, cultural diversity, HIV stigma, mental health, and cancer. The episode celebr...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, we explore how ALONE and the HSE’s Enhanced Community Care (ECC) programme collaborate to support older adults in relation to many areas of their health and wellbeing and fundamentally to live well at home. Our guests are Catriona Brennan, Candidate, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, frailty, Gail Flynn, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, older...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, host Noreen Turley welcomes Caitriona Heffernan, National Clinical Innovation Lead and Anna Marie Kiernan, National Nursing/Midwifery Innovation Fellow, from the HSE Spark Innovation Programme. Together, they discuss how Spark empowers frontline healthcare staff to develop and implement innovative ideas that improve patient care acro...

In this episode of HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing, host Noreen Turley welcomes Sheila Lucey, an advanced nurse practitioner and infant feeding specialist, for an in-depth discussion on breastfeeding. Sheila shares expert information on the benefits of breastfeeding, preparing before birth, and the importance of early support. The conversation covers practical tips for overcoming challenges, the...

In this episode of HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing, host Fergal Fox welcomes Cliona Fitzpatrick from Movember to discuss their recent Report; The Real Face of Men’s Health in Ireland. They explore the impact of Movember’s initiatives, the findings of their new research, and the importance of community-based support. The conversation outlines the need to focus on health inequalities, the role of c...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health & Wellbeing Podcast, host Eamon Keogh talks with Roisin Breen and Dr Ola Nordrum about the HSE’s climate action journey: why healthcare must lead, what the priority frameworks cover, and how staff and leaders can turn strategy into delivery. They discuss the health impacts already seen, practical wins such as Green Theatres, inhaler changes and greener...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, we speak with Gráinne Leach and Kellie O’Farrell to discuss the experiences of people with disabilities working in the health service. Gráinne works as a Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Officer with HSE Human Resources and Kellie works as a Senior Occupational Therapist in Primary Care. The conversation highlights personal journeys...

In this episode we talk to Sinéad Coleman, Programme Manager for the HSE National Clinical Programme for Stroke and Physiotherapist at St. James’s Hospital. We discuss the importance of knowing the signs of stroke and responding immediately, highlighting the “Every Second Counts” and the importance of ringing an ambulance as soon as possible. Sinéad explains stroke symptoms, the urgent care pathwa...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, host Eamon Keogh talks with Dr Emer Guinan about the benefits of physical activity during cancer treatment and beyond. They explore how moderate, sustained movement can help manage side effects like fatigue, support mental wellbeing, and improve day‑to‑day function. The discussion explains why a personalised approach is essential, of...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, we are joined by Ultan Hynes and Amanda Casey to discuss Ireland’s Nursing Home Support Scheme, or Fair Deal Scheme. The conversation explores the emotional and practical challenges families face when arranging nursing home care, the application and financial assessment process, and the importance of advance planning and open family...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing, host Noreen Turley explores Ireland’s new opt-out organ donation system with ICU consultant Dr. Catherine Motherway and Olivia Farrell, whose daughter Lauren became an organ donor. Dr. Motherway explains the new legislation, addresses common misconceptions, and highlights the importance of families having conversations about donation while O...

In this episode of HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing, host Eamon Keogh welcomes Joanne Byrne, HSE Senior Community Dietitian. Together they explain what Weaning is, when to start, and the signs that a baby is ready. They discuss first foods, setting up calm mealtimes, and why moving from purées to lumps and how finger foods can support development and safety. Joanne shares advice on responsive feed...

In this episode of HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing, host Fergal Fox explores how creativity and community engagement can support people living with dementia. Guests Matthew Gibb, Rosin Nevin, and Catherine Daly discuss the benefits of arts-based programmes, such as poetry groups, in fostering hope, connection, and self-expression. The conversation highlights person-centred care, the importance of...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Noreen Turley interviews Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer of the Health Service Executive. They discuss the ongoing transformation of Irish healthcare, emphasising the shift toward more integrated, patient-centred care. Topics include the vital role of clinical leadership, expanding community-based services, and the opport...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, host Eamon Keogh talks with Fiona Tuomey, CEO, HUGG, and HSE Suicide Bereavement Co-ordinator Ollie Skehan about suicide bereavement. They discuss how suicide bereavement profoundly affects individuals and communities in Ireland, with each death impacting an estimated 135 people and creating layered grief that includes emotional, pra...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, host Noreen Turley is joined by clinical psychologist Aisling White and social worker Caroline O’Donoghue to explore parenting stress. The discussion highlights how feeling stressed is a normal part of parenting, its physical and emotional impacts, and practical strategies for self-care and stress management. The guests highlight the...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Fergal Fox is joined by Jenny Smyth (HSE National Social Inclusion Office) and Rob (Ana Liffey Drugs Project) to mark International Overdose Awareness Day. The discussion explores overdose risks in Ireland, the vital role of naloxone, and the importance of peer-led intervention and community support. The guests share practical a...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Abigail Collins, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Clinical Lead for the National Healthy Childhood Programme, shares expert advice on preparing children for the school year. The discussion covers preventing and managing common childhood illnesses and building healthy routines, as well as advice for children who are anxious about going back to school. The episod...

In this episode of HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Dr. Caoimhe Hartley joins host Noreen Turley to explain what complex menopause really means, who it affects, and how Ireland’s six Complex Menopause Clinics are supporting women who may not be able to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Menopause is often discussed in terms of hot flushes and mood swings but for some women, it’s far more comp...

In this episode of HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing, host Eamon Keogh welcomes Tim Hanly, General Manager and Teresa Cronin, Director of Nursing from the HSE Safeguarding Office. Together, they explain what Elder Abuse is. Also outlining how it still remains an issue in society, with isolation and loneliness increasing the risk of abuse for some of our elderly population. They talk through the dif...

In this episode of HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing, host Fergal Fox welcomes Dr. Conor Hammersley, a Fulbright scholar and expert in rural men’s health, for a thoughtful discussion on healthy masculinity during Men’s Health Week. Together, they explore the challenges men face in balancing societal expectations with emotional wellbeing, the impact of social connection, and the importance of vulner...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Fergal Fox and guests Melissa Vindigni (Senior Occupational Therapist), Muireann Treacy (Senior Clinical Psychologist) and Rosemary Kavanagh (Senior Speech and Language Therapist) discuss the emotional experiences of young children under the theme "Little People, Big Feelings." They explore the normalcy of intense emotions in ch...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, Dr. Ciarán Boylan and host Noreen Turley explore strategies for managing exam stress. They discuss how to recognise stress in young people, especially during exam times, and offer advice to parents and guardians on how to provide both practical and emotional support. The conversation aims to help parents and guardians assist young pe...

In this podcast episode, Specialist in Public Health Dr. Breeda Neville and skin cancer prevention advocate Bernie Rice join us to discuss the SunSmart campaign and the critical importance of skin protection to prevent skin cancer in Ireland. They are working tirelessly to increase awareness of the steps you and your family can take to protect your skin from the sun and reduce your risk of skin ca...