Cross border health projects should ensure better outcomes for all patients – Fitzpatrick

Fine Gael Louth Deputy, Peter Fitzpatrick, said the visit by the Health Ministers from North and South of the border, Edwin Poots MLA and James Reilly TD to Louth this week has brought a renewed focus to the importance of cross border health projects, the aim of which is to enhance the services available to all users.

“Minister Reilly and Minister Poots were in Louth this week to witness the work being carried by a number of Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) projects. Among the places we visited was the Men’s Shed in Dundalk, which is a border region project which targets men at risk of isolation who are experiencing major life changes. The Shed environment encourages men to share skills and to learn new ones in, for example, mechanical work and wood turning.

“Time was also given over to hearing about the CAWT Social Inclusion Project which focuses on eradicating health inequalities for women, travellers and other vulnerable or marginalised groups. We then paid a visit to Louth County Hospital to hear about the progress being made by the CAWT Genito-Urinary Medicine clinics that provide access to preventative and curative services to those living with sexually transmitted infections.

“By ensuring that we share expertise and ideas on how best to assist those in both jurisdictions who most need our help, be that with mental health issues or tackling drug/alcohol abuse, we can make the most of the resources available and provide the services that are needed.

“Minister Reilly expressed the intention of both Ministers to work together on a range of services including the provision of paediatric cardiac surgery on an all island basis. This will ensure the delivery of a world class service, using the skills and capabilities of healthcare professionals on both sides of the border.

“North-South relations have come such a long way in recent years, and the willingness of the Health Ministers to co-operate to provide the best possible service to those living in the border region is a further normalising and cementing of the progress that has been made.

“I will be continuing to build on the work of Ministers Reilly and Poots by supporting the CAWT projects where I can. There is also huge potential for a collaborative project to take place between Louth County Hospital and Daisyhill in Newry which I will be looking to progress down the line.”
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