4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway
4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway
4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway
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Collaborative Practice and Policy<br />
It was felt that at both an overall strategic and an individual project level, greater<br />
clarity is needed about the objectives <strong>of</strong> improving cross-border co-operation and<br />
the obstacles that stand in the way <strong>of</strong> achieving that improvement. Obstacles<br />
have the potential to greatly inhibit the scope <strong>of</strong> cross-border working,<br />
suggesting that concerted efforts are required to identify and dismantle such<br />
potential barriers, where this is feasible and appropriate.<br />
It was also recommended that much greater collaboration should take place on<br />
the island in relation to evaluation and research, particularly on projects<br />
comparing the effectiveness <strong>of</strong> the two health care systems. In addition, there<br />
should be much greater co-operation in the field <strong>of</strong> public health, particularly in<br />
joint health promotion campaigns.<br />
Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT)<br />
Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) came about in 1992, when the North<br />
Eastern and North Western <strong>Health</strong> Boards in the Republic <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ireland</strong> and the<br />
Southern and Western <strong>Health</strong> and Social Service Boards in Northern <strong>Ireland</strong><br />
entered into a formal agreement known as the Ballyconnell Agreement to cooperate<br />
in improving the health and social well-being <strong>of</strong> their resident<br />
populations. Official endorsement for the CAWT process has been given at a<br />
national level by both Ministers for <strong>Health</strong> and Departments <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong> in<br />
Northern <strong>Ireland</strong> and the Republic <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ireland</strong> (CAWT 1999).<br />
Within the CAWT structure there are 10 different sub-groups, one <strong>of</strong> which has a<br />
health promotion function and another a mental health function (Robinson &<br />
McReynolds 2001). The CAWT sub-group on mental health was established in<br />
September 2001 and works under the same terms <strong>of</strong> reference as CAWT. It is<br />
made up <strong>of</strong> representatives from 11 organisations including boards and trusts<br />
from the Republic and Northern <strong>Ireland</strong>. These include the North Western <strong>Health</strong><br />
Board and the North Eastern <strong>Health</strong> Board in the Republic <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ireland</strong>, and the<br />
Southern <strong>Health</strong> and Social Services Board, the Western <strong>Health</strong> and Social Services<br />
Board and nine health trusts in Northern <strong>Ireland</strong>.<br />
The group has set up a ‘meet and greet’ facility where members visit each other’s<br />
services and exchange information and experiences. <strong>Mental</strong> health promotion has<br />
been identified as an area to be taken forward by the group.<br />
Through CAWT a number <strong>of</strong> different projects, training events, conferences and<br />
information exchanges have taken place. CAWT’s Strategic Plan 2001-2004<br />
stresses the importance <strong>of</strong> CAWT working collaboratively with governmental<br />
North-South bodies like the Special EU Programmes Body and the Food Safety<br />
Promotion Board. It also highlights the importance <strong>of</strong> linking with<br />
organisations such as the all-island Institute <strong>of</strong> Public <strong>Health</strong> in<br />
<strong>Ireland</strong> (Robinson & McReynolds 2001).<br />
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