HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing

In this podcast episode, Martin Davoren, Executive Director of the Sexual Health Centre discusses sexual health in the context of the Centre’s evolution, services, and new developments in the area. During this discussion, Martin outlines why sexual health is such an important part of a person’s health and wellbeing and how this area has seen significant innovation in recent years with the developm...

In this podcast episode, Geraldine Sexton, a HSE Senior Project Dietitian, from the HSE Healthy Eating Active Living Programme, talks about the importance of having a healthy gut. She encourages us to think about how to expand our plant based diet, with tips and tricks for young and old people who may not like plant foods. Geraldine also addresses common misconceptions about our digestive health....

In this podcast episode, Dr. Colin O'Driscoll, Clinical Lead Psychosocial Services, and Eleanor Keogh, Project Worker, both with the Mid-West Alcohol Service, discuss the HSE Integrated Alcohol Service. They tell us that this service works with community agencies to offer personalised support for those with alcohol concerns, ranging from mild to severe.  They provide assessments and support for in...

In this episode of the HSE's Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, Dr. Heather Burns discusses the importance of symptom awareness and early detection of cancer. Dr. Burns is a Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Public Health Lead for Early Detection of Cancer with the HSE National Cancer Control Programme. She notes that cancer is common in Ireland, with 1 in 2 people having a cancer diagno...

In our latest episode, host Fergal Fox speaks to Bernard Gloster, CEO of the HSE, about the developments, as well as challenges, in Ireland's health service. They discuss the work underway in the HSE to promote health and wellbeing under the Health Services Healthy Ireland Implementation Plan. Bernard shares an update on his strategic priorities and reflects on 12 months in the job as CEO as he em...

In this podcast episode, host Noreen Turley engages in a candid discussion on menopause with two esteemed women's health experts, Dr. Cliona Murphy, a Gynaecologist and Clinical Director at the National Women & Infants Health Programme, and Dr. Caoimhe Hartley, a General Practitioner and Clinical Lead of the Complex Menopause Clinic at Rotunda Hospital.   It becomes clear quite quickly that th...

In this podcast episode we speak with Emer Loughrey, Counsellor and Dr Monica Whyte, Systemic Family Therapist, who work together in Youth Drug and Alcohol (YoDA), a service within HSE Addiction service that work with young people engaged in problematic drug or alcohol use whilst supporting their families. In this episode, they discuss the critical topic of substance use among young people, with a...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, we discuss the Sláintecare Healthy Community initiative in Dublin's North East Inner City with guests Catherine Heaney and Cáit Donnelly. They explore the recent evaluation report and the importance of partnerships between the HSE and community organisations like Dublin City Community Co-op. The conversation highlights the diverse an...

In this episode, host Fergal Fox discusses vaccinations with Dr Lucy Jessop, Director of the National Immunisation Office, and parent representative Lorraine Hughes. Dr Jessop provides a clear explanation of how vaccines work, teaching the immune system to recognise and combat diseases before they can take hold. She stresses the importance of following the recommended vaccination schedule as this...

In this episode, host Eamon Keogh talks with Professor Donal O’Shea, HSE Clinical Lead, who takes us through the complexities of obesity as a chronic disease. He emphasises the need for empathy and a shift in perception towards individuals with obesity and highlights the connection between obesity and over 200 conditions, advocating for a shift in focus towards treating obesity itself to prevent t...

In this episode, host Noreen Turley meets with Brenda O'Donnell and Lauren Watters from Active Disability Ireland to discuss their work underway in promoting active lifestyles for people with disabilities. They tell us about the Active Healthy Me programme, which aims to empower people with disabilities to take control of their own health & wellbeing through an online education programme. We a...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, we hear about the role of Community First Responders (CFRs) from Ger O’Dea, the Community Engagement Manager with the HSE National Ambulance Service. Ger highlights the importance of community involvement in emergency situations, especially in rural Ireland where ambulance response times can be longer and explains how they provide ca...

In our latest HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast host Eamon Keogh, talks with Parenting Facilitators, Lulu O’Kelly, Bray Area Partnership and Linda Pickett, Northside Area Partnership. They talk about the parenting peer groups they run, how they are a safe, non-judgemental place, where day to day experiences, like meal times, screen times and the big one, “Saying No” are discussed. They disc...

The HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast relaunches this week as host Fergal Fox, with Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officers, Dr Michelle Hardie-Murphy and Aisling Doherty, discuss ten tips to kick start the New Year. They talk about setting realistic goals, the importance of enjoying healthy activities and celebrating small victories. The episode emphasises the need for flexibility...

In this episode the hosts of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast reflect on their experiences and the success of the series to date. They discuss standout episodes, including Nikki Killeen's discussion about the Safer Nightlife Programme as they identified new drugs at music festivals, Prof. Bobby Smyth's insights on addiction in young people, and Dr. Sheila Gilheaney's episode about the...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, Dr. Paul Kavanagh, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Public Health Advisor for the HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, discusses the harmful effects of vaping and e-cigarettes, particularly among children and young people. Susan MacNicholas, a stop smoking advisor, shares her experiences working with young people who vape and...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, we discuss Winter Wellness with Dr. Edel Doorley, HSE GP Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control (AMRIC). Dr. Doorley provides advice on managing common illnesses, emphasising the importance of hand hygiene, vaccinations, and self-care. She highlights the HSE Common Conditions website as a resource for parents and encourages...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Eamon Keogh discusses HIV with Professor Fiona Lyons, HSE Clinical Lead of the Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Program and Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine at Saint James’ Hospital Dublin, and Aoife Commins, a practicing nurse who is living with HIV. They cover the progress made in HIV treatment, the importance of early i...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, host Fergal Fox talks to Dr. Sarah Geoghegan, Clinical Lead of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), and Gillian Buggy, Regional Flu Lead for South East Community Healthcare. They discuss the COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations, explaining the rationale and the importance of these programmes. They highlight the significance...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Noreen Turley and guest Professor Mary Wingfield, Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist at the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, discuss various aspects of fertility. Mary explains that there are a number of things that can affect your fertility, including age, body weight and smoking, and fertility problems affect both men a...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing podcast, host Fergal Fox talks to Martin Rogan, the CEO of Mental Health Ireland. They discuss the organisation's work in promoting mental health and wellbeing, the importance of collaboration and understanding in mental health promotion, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Martin emphasises the need for a holistic appro...

In this episode of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast, host Fergal Fox talks to Rebecca McLaughlin from the Irish Men's Sheds Association and Raymond Jordan from the Firhouse Men's Shed in Dublin. They discuss the positive impact of Men's Sheds on the community, the diversity of activities offered, and the importance of connection and camaraderie. Rebecca and Ray highlight the "Sheds for...

In this podcast, we hear from Dr Jean O’Connell, a consultant endocrinologist and clinical lead at the Centre for Obesity Management at St. Columcille's and St. Vincent's University Hospitals. Jean explains that obesity is a chronic disease caused by a malfunction in the body's energy balance and weight regulation. She goes on to explain that approximately 1 in 4 adults in Ireland are living with...

In this podcast, we hear about the HSE Dementia: Understand Together campaign which aims to raise awareness and understanding of dementia and inspire communities to become inclusive.   Host Noreen Turley speaks to guests Fiona Foley, Senior Project Manager HSE National Dementia Office, and Kathleen Farrell, who is living with Lewy body dementia and is a member of the Irish Dementia Working Group. ...

In this podcast, we hear from Gwen Harris from the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), where she works as Regional Manager in North Dublin, as we discuss financial wellbeing. Gwen provides practical tips for budgeting, reducing food waste, and finding the best deals in areas like utility bills.   Hosted by Fergal Fox, we learn that financial wellbeing is about having control and confidence...