Rare diseases workshops: Information and Communication Review
Date published:
The Department of Health and the Northern Ireland Rare Disease Partnership are holding a series of engagement workshops across Northern Ireland and wish to hear from patients, carers, healthcare professionals and policy-makers who have experience of, or are involved in, the field of rare diseases.
The workshops will take place as follows:
- 15 March 2017, 12.00pm–2.00pm: Altnagelvin Hospital, Gransha Park Seminar Room with Dr Fiona Stewart
- 16 March 2017, 3.00pm–5.00pm: Portadown Care and Treatment Centre with Dr Vivienne McConnell
- 22 March 2017, 4.00pm–7.00pm: Belfast City Hospital, Larkin Room, Belfast City Hospital with Dr Deirdre Donnelly
- 27 March 2017, 12:30pm–3:30pm: Corrs Corner Hotel, Mulberry Suite, 315 Ballyclare Road, Newtownabbey with Dr Fiona Stewart
- 4 April 2017, 3.00pm-5.00pm: South West Acute Hospital, Boardroom with Dr Gillian Rea
These events are being held as part of the implementation of the Northern Ireland Rare Diseases Plan. The objective is to improve the information and communication about rare diseases as it is currently available to patients, their carers and healthcare professionals.
The Plan, issued in October 2015, sets out the Department’s commitments to address the needs of people living with a rare disease. It identifies a range of actions to be taken forward in Northern Ireland in respect of the 51 Commitments in the UK-wide Rare Diseases Strategy, which the four UK Health Departments endorsed in November 2013. In addition to the five themes of the UK Strategy, the Northern Ireland Plan also includes a sixth theme relating to opportunities to realise mutual benefits through collaborative approaches to rare diseases with the Republic of Ireland.
Notes to editors:
1. For further information about the workshops please contact:
- NI Rare Disease Partnership: info@nirdp.org.uk, tel: Christine Collins 07843256442
- Department of Health: scott.morgan@health-ni.gov.uk, tel: 02890 522118
2. Media enquiries about this press release should be directed to the Department of Health press office on 028 9052 0567, or out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned. Follow us on twitter: @healthdpt