The Irish Die Young Conference: Aims, Speakers, Agenda

"FIS Exists to represent and develop our members and our community

31 January 2007

Conference Aims:

Set out the statistics which demonstrate how Irish communities are suffering significantly higher rates of heart disease and related health problems than other ethnic minorities
Explain how the needs of the Irish can be specifically included in organisations' service delivery plans
Provide examples of some of the existing initiatives taking place with Irish communities, and of other good practice

Key speakers

Chair - Dr Gabriel Scally, Regional Director of Public Health, Government Office for the South West
Professor Roger Boyle, National Director for Heart Disease, Department of Health
Averil Dongworth, Chief Executive, Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust
Dr Mike Knapton, Director of Prevention and Care, British Heart Foundation
Caroline Flint MP, Minister of State, Department of Health - invited
Bridget Riches, Director, National Programme Delivery (Health Improvement Directorate),
Department of Health

The conference will also feature workshops and information on a new Irish Heart Disease Network for professionals with an interest in Irish health.

Who should Attend?

Senior NHS management with responsibility for strategic planning and service delivery relating to coronary care
Specialist heart disease and chest pain staff based in hospitals
GPs with Special Interests in heart disease and prevention
Community health practitioners
Department of Health
Regional government including Public Health Directors
Organisations with specialist knowledge (eg British Heart Foundation)
Health promotion specialists
Healthy Living Centres
Sure Start
Social services
Nutritionists
Irish housing associations
Academics with an interest in Irish health

Agenda (subject to change)
9.00 - 10.00 Coffee and registration
10.00 - 10.15 Time for a check-up: Coronary Heart Disease in people of Irish descent
Conference chair - Dr Gabriel Scally, Regional Director of Public Health,
Government Office for the South West
10.15 - 10.25 Introductory statement by Caroline Flint MP, Minister of State, Department of Health
10.25 - 10.45 Defining ethnic differences in cardiovascular disease and the NHS response
Professor Roger Boyle, National Director for Heart Disease, Department of Health
10.45 - 11.05 Promoting culturally competent practices with interventions to engage Irish people
Dr Mike Knapton, Director of Care and Prevention, British Heart Foundation
11.05 - 11.20 Open forum
11.20 - 11.50 Coffee
11.50 - 12.10 Addressing Irish needs in our service delivery plans
Averil Dongworth, Chief Executive, Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust
12.10 - 12.30 Strategies and resources to promote changes in lifestyle
Bridget Riches, Director, National Programme Delivery (Health Improvement Directorate),
Department of Health
12.30 - 12.45 Open forum
12.45 - 1.45 Lunch
1.45 - 2.45 Workshops - first session
1. Strategies for NHS Trusts to promote early intervention - Noirin Egan,
Specialist Chest Pain Nurse, Chase Farm Hospital
2. Encouraging take up of CHD services by Irish communities at primary care level -
Dr Cummins, GP with Special Interest (CHD)
3. Understanding the Irish lifestyle, diet and approaches to combating poor nutrition -
Vicky Smith, Healthy Living Coordinator, London Irish Centre
4. Borrowing from other Minority communities: the South Asian experience
Mina Bhavsar, Head of Service Improvement, Leicester City PCT
5. Establishing relationships through Irish community organisations and health
and social care providers - Karen McHugh, Brent Irish Advisory Service
2.45 - 2.50 Move to second workshop (with refreshments)
2.50 - 3.50 Workshops - second session (As above)
3.50 - 4.15 Optional briefing: Keeping in touch on Irish heart disease - a new Network
4.15 Close of conference (tea available)

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