Minister highlights the benefits of connecting with Europe

Bairbre de Brún, Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, has spoken about her perceptions on cross-border working to a conference entitled ‘Connecting with Europe’.

Organised by CAWT (Co-operation and Working Together), the cross-border organisation which works for health gain and social well-being in the border areas, the Minister delivered a joint presentation with Dr Tom Moffatt, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, to the Conference, which was held in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.

Pointing out that the ideas and practical experience acquired by other border regions in Europe could be utilised by health and social care systems both North and South, Ms de Brún said: “We have much to learn from our counterparts across Europe in addressing the various issues of accessibility to services when people travel and work in different jurisdictions. Health care is not excluded from the application of EU law in relation to free movement of people, goods and services.”

Referring to the development of the EU Public Health Strategy, the Minister added: “We look forward to working with other European regions in carrying forward our own ‘Investing for Health’ Strategy, and in particular working on it in the context of our North/South relationship.”

The Minister cited particular examples of cross-border joint working for health gain and praised the role of CAWT in many such initiatives. She said: “The Triangle Project - a study of co-operation in acute hospital services in the border areas of Cavan, Fermanagh, Leitrim and Sligo is one such example. This project identified six areas as suitable for co-operation and these are being considered at local level, the overall aim being to enhance existing services and develop new ones for the benefit of the local population.”

The conference also included presentations from key figures in the fields of European health and social care research, policy, funding and co-operation in service delivery.

CAWT was established in July 1992 as a result of the “Ballyconnell Agreement” between the North Eastern and North Western Health Boards in the South and the Southern and Western Health and Social Services Boards here, to co-operate in improving the health and social well-being of their resident populations.

These four boards cover the whole of the land boundary between North and South and between them comprise a population of approximately one million people. (MB)