Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2017
350. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if an implementation plan for the Healthy Ireland framework for brief intervention and health behaviour change has been developed; and if it has been commenced. [53798/17]
View answerMaking Every Contact Count (MECC) was launched in May as a framework to support the implementation of Healthy Ireland in the health services. The vision for MECC is that health behaviour change interventions will become part of routine clinical care delivered by health professionals in the health service. It will capitalise on the opportunities that every health professional has on a daily basis to support patients to make healthy lifestyle choices for chronic disease prevention and the self-management of existing chronic diseases. Implementing this programme will result in patients being routinely asked about the main lifestyle risk factors for chronic disease - tobacco use, alcohol & substance use, diet, and physical activity.
A five year implementation plan has been developed for the Framework which will be implemented at a strategic and operational level under the following areas:
- Leadership;
- Staff Engagement, Training and Support;
- Partnership and Cross Sectoral Working; and
- Monitoring and Evaluation.
As implementation of the MECC is an operational matter for the Health Service Executive, I have forwarded the question to the Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up on the matter.
