COLLEGE WELLBEING: Low-risk drinking, healthy sexuality and relationships and good mental health will be the chief areas up for discussion at a conference on health and welfare at third-level colleges in Galway next week.
The aim of the conference, organised by the National Working Group on Alcohol in Higher Education, is to provide colleges with knowledge, skills and strategies to enhance health and wellbeing in their communities. The conference will be held in the Ardilaun Hotel, Galway city on October 18th and 19th.
HEALTHCARE AWARDS: Approximately three out of every 50 hospital patients have an adverse drug experience, according to international evidence. A project to improve medication safety was the recent winner of the first National Quality in Healthcare awards. Co-ordinated by Ciara Kirke and Tim Delaney, two staff members at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin, the project ensured that staff report medication safety incidents and near misses and that such incidents were related to other personnel to prevent the risk of recurrence.
Other award-winning projects included one which improved nutrition and quality of life of residents in Lusk Community Unit for Older People and a statistical model which predicted overcrowding in A&E departments at Beaumont Hospital. See also www.isqsh.ie
BACK PAIN: Back pain is the cause of work-related ill health for one in every five people. Backcare Awareness Week runs from Monday until Sunday next and this year's theme is back pain in the workplace. Poor posture and movement in the workplace is a common cause of long-term back pain. Dublin-based teacher of the Alexander Technique, Frank Kennedy, will give a free talk and demonstration on back pain in the workplace on Monday at 6.30pm. The venue is The National College of Ireland, IFSC, Mayor St, Dublin 1. Tel: 01 2882446 or email frankkennedy@eircom.net for more details.
T'AI CHI COURSE: A new t'ai chi health exercise course starts on October 19th in Dublin.
The course, Grandmaster Cheng Man Chings Short Form, is suitable for all ages.
Its proponents say that physical benefits are gained through the relief of tension and stress. The course is being taught by Liam Murray who has 20 years experience teaching this system.
Enrolment for the 10-week beginners course starts tomorrow at 7.30pm in St Anne's Parish Hall, Molesworth Pace, Dublin 2, off Dawson Street. The course fee is €120. For further information, contact Liam Murray on tel: 01-2847398.
(Lifelines is compiled by Sylvia Thompson)