Message from COVID-19 Health Communications Stakeholder Support – 22nd May

Dear Colleague,

Thank you for your continuing support in sharing information about COVID-19. Below are a few communications updates for you.

#Inthistogether Wellbeing Campaign
Thank you for all of the fantastic support for the #Inthistogether Wellbeing campaign, from the Department of Health and the HSE, this will continue to push out across the airwaves into June.
The radio ads can be found here https://soundcloud.com/user-774450354
The website is www.gov.ie/together and the hashtag is #inthistogether. Partners are recommended to continue to share their wellbeing content under the hashtag #Inthistogether.

Next week there will be features on

Updated COVID-19 Resources
Please check here for the most up to date partner resources for COVID-19, including the latest COVID-19 poster in English and Irish, the updated Cocooning Public Health Advice easy read guide, the most up to date HSE Approved Guidance for Disability Services as well as other resources and materials.

Using the health service during COVID-19
This week saw some new communications for people who may be concerned about using health services, or are uncertain that they’re operating as normal.  Our health service is open for urgent care, and we have taken extra precautions to ensure patients are safe. We have a national and regional radio ad about using GP and Emergency services, and the National Cancer Control Programme shared two new videos about people who may have cancer signs , and people who are  attending for cancer treatment

Public Health Information:
COVID-19 public health advice posters are now updated to reflect movement to the next phase in managing the epidemic. These posters are now under the heading “Stay home. Stay safe. Protect each other.” There are two posters that can be shared for public use – the first is a general public information poster and the other is aimed at staying safe outdoors. Further formats are available in both Irish and English on the COVID-19 Information Resources page.

For the most up to date information and advice on Coronavirus, please go to: https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/

For information on face coverings for public use, please see:
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/face-masks-disposable-gloves.html

For Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidance please see:
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/ppe/

HoldFirm – the HSE’s new campaign
Thank you for all of the fantastic support for the HSE’s new campaign called HoldFirm, which launched on 9^th May 2020. The HoldFirm campaign takes inspiration from the words of President Michael D Higgins, written in his 1993 poem, Take Care. Acknowledging the public’s monumental efforts to keep frontline and essential workers safe by staying home, some frontline staff have joined together to give new meaning to President Higgins’ inspirational words, which can be viewed here. You can also view the HoldFirm TV ad here.

We are very grateful for the help in sharing the campaign message of the importance for all of us to #HoldFirm. Campaign assets are also available here filed under ‘HoldFirm assets’. There are now HoldFirm colouring sheets available in this drop down menu for both children and adults. You can also download the #HoldFirm twibbon for your social media accounts here.

Other Resources:
The Government’s roadmap for reopening society and business can be found here.

Family Carers Ireland – offering family carers free counselling sessions
Family carers sometimes have difficulty coping with their emotional well-being and their mental health and are more likely to struggle with stress, anxiety and depression than the general population. As a carer, there are times when you may find yourself struggling with your mental health and emotional well-being due to a combination of the demands of your caring role, and the additional challenges you might be facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Family Carers Ireland offer help to family carers, as they believe no one should have to care alone. They have developed a free, short-term online and phone counselling service for family carers and will connect carers with a qualified counsellor from a panel of approved professionals.
The service can be accessed through the website https://familycarers.ie/help-and-advice/online-and-phone-counselling-service/   or through the National Freephone Careline on 1800 24 07 24.

If your organisation has any specific requests in relation to COVID-19 public health information materials, please let us know.

Thank you for your support. Keep well, remember we’re #InThisTogether and #HoldFirm

Covid-19 Health Communications Stakeholder Support