Big congratulations to our Primary Healthcare for Travellers Project which won a ‘Best Patient Lifestyle Education Project’ prize at the Irish Health Care Awards last week.

This award goes to a project for promoting health lifestyle practices and patient education. It is specially aimed at at-risk populations.

The award was presented at a gala event at the Shelbourne Hotel attended by almost 400 health professionals.

Our project is based on outreach work in the the community with Traveller families. Traveller Community Health Workers can meet the needs and concerns of their own community. Their work includes

• Providing health education and infomatin to Travellers in Finglas and Blanchardstown.

• Working in partnership with the HSE and others to address the health needs of Travellers.

• Designing and publishing culturally appropriate health promotion materials.

• Organising appropriate clinics for child health, diabetes, obesity and cardio-vascular health.

• Networking at local, regional, national and international level.

The judging panel was made up of medical consultants, pharmaceutical representatives, patient representatives and medical journalists. The awards are organised by the Irish Medical Times.