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National Forum of Ireland

Official Name:
National Network for Workplace Health Promotion  
 
Internet:
Please turn to National Contact Office Ireland
 
Founded:
February 2002
 
Objectives:
The objective of the Network is to promote Workplace Health Promotion practice. The aims are to support the promotion of policy development, disseminate information on WHP develop user networks within the regions and at national level contribute to the development of national and regional WHP policy provide a supportive environment for WHP professionals.
 
Structure:
To date the network has met twice. The Network recognises the need for a multisectoral approach involving statutory and non-statutory agencies and the social partners to tackle workplace health issues. The Unit also acknowledges the need to work in partnership with the stakeholders involved to support the implementation and evaluation of current workplace health promotion programmes. The Network will have an important role to play in this regard.
 
Sponsor Institutions:
The set-up of the network is financed by the Health Promotion Unit of the Department of Health and Children.
 
Working Methods:
When fully expanded membership of the Network will consist of various practitioners, policy makers, researchers, academics etc. on an all island basis. The Network will support the development of workplace health Promotion through promoting policy development, communication networks, professional development and the implementation of best practice through quality standards.  
 
Priorities:
The issue of Workplace Health Promotion has been developed and expanded in recent years with all Health Boards having appointed a Workplace Co-ordinator. The Workplace Co-ordinator has the responsibility for the development of workplace health promotion plans and the initiation of pilot projects at regional level.The Health Promotion Unit acknowledges, as a priority, the need to work in partnership with the stakeholders involved to support the implementation and evaluation of current workplace health promotion programmes. In 1999 the Health Promotion Unit published the policy document - healthy bodies - healthy work, which outlined the need to adopt a proactive approach in the workplace setting. More recently a number of work-related initiatives have been outlined in the National Health Promotion Strategy 2000-2005. These include the appointment of a National Workplace Health Promotion Co-ordinator, the examination of the needs of small to medium enterprises in relation to workplace health promotion and the continued implementation of the Cardiovascular strategies in the workplace setting. Each of these initiatives will help to progress the development of workplace health promotion.
 
Adress/Contact:
Health Promotion Unit / Department of Health and Children
Frances Keegan or Eileen Ryan
Hawkins House, Hawkins Street, Dublin 2

Phone: +353 1 635 4508
Fax: +353 1 635 4372
Email: frances_keegan@health.irlgov.ie or eileen_ryan@health.irlgov.ie
www.healthpromotion.ie