Ethnic minority 'voice' should shape primary care, conference told

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Written by Administrator

Wednesday, 31 January 2007

A national conference focusing on the provision of healthcare to ethnic minorities in Ireland took place at the Galway Bay Hotel last Friday.

The inter-agency conference, titled 'Participation of Ethnic Minorities in the Design, Planning and Delivery of Primary Care Services' was organised by the Primary Care Department, HSE West, in partnership with the Department of General Practice, NUI Galway and the Galway Refugee Support Group.

The conference investigated the participation of ethnic minorities in the development of appropriate primary care services. It highlighted that representatives from ethnic minority communities should have a 'voice' in the shaping of primary care, because they are 'experts' of their own experiences. They can bring information and insights to those responsible for the designing and delivery of healthcare services, which can inform the organisation and delivery of services. This will help reduce health inequalities between ethnic minority groups and the indigenous Irish population because culturally appropriate health services can be developed.

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