Inclusion Ireland meets Minister for Health, Simon Harris

For the original source see here.

Inclusion Ireland holds very constructive meeting on disability issues with Minister for Health Simon Harris, April 28th

 

Inclusion Ireland met with Minister for Health, Simon Harris, Minister for Disability Issues, Finian McGrath and head of HSE Disability Service, Dr Cathal Morgan on April 27th to discuss COVID-19 disability issues that people with disabilities and their families had raised with Inclusion Ireland.

The key points from the meeting were:

  • 90% of disability services are COVID-19 free and the other 10% are so far coping with their outbreaks. Sadly, 10 people have passed away due to COVID-19.
  • The Minister is to ask the HPSC to publish disaggregated data to indicate the levels of COVID-19 in disability services.
  • There is equality of access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for disability services.
  • The HSE is to develop a protocol for informing families if their family member lives in a setting where someone has contracted COVID-19.
  • There is equality of access for people with disabilities to health care, including intensive care.
  • The Department of Health and HSE are mindful of the UNCRPD which guarantees equal access to health care.
  • In emergency cases, where a family carer has to enter hospital for treatment, the HSE has developed an emergency care pathway. As all cases are unique, this will be done on a case by case basis as the need arises.
  • The HSE is looking at how it can adapt services to children. Special needs assistants are beginning to contact families to give a remote support option.

 

Inclusion Ireland CEO, Enda Egan commented on the meeting: “I would like to thank Minister Harris for engaging with Inclusion Ireland, and listening to the concerns of people with intellectual disabilities and their families have in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic”

Briefing: The rights of persons with disabilities in congregated settings within the COVID-19 emergency

The Centre for Disability Law and Policy at NUI, Galway has prepared a briefing paper on the rights of persons with disabilities in congregated settings within the COVID-19 emergency.

Briefing paper

The purpose of this paper is to capture the critical information that may be relevant to Ireland at this time in relation to persons with disabilities residing in congregated settings.

This paper outlines the rights of persons with disabilities resident in congregated settings in Ireland under the UNCRPD. It then looks at reports and practices in other countries of how similar services are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. It makes recommendations as to how to address core issues which have been identified by disability service providers in Ireland.

This paper is focused on the operation of residential settings. The CDLP acknowledges that persons with disabilities living in the community will also experience significant barriers to the realization of their right to the highest attainable standards of health, the right to live independently and to be treated equally to non-disabled people. Adequate supports must be provided to persons with disabilities who receive support and care from family members.

Statement on the rights of persons with disabilities during COVID-19

The Inclusive Living Network, along with other organisations and individuals, has signed the following statement.

Read the Statement online here.

Statement on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities during the COVID-19 crisis, 7th April 2020

We welcome the ongoing work by the National Public Health Emergency Team, the Department of Health, HSE services, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government; and the Department of Rural and Community Affairs during this pandemic. We are calling on all state actors to adhere to their obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which Ireland ratified in March 2018. The UNCRPD articles which warrant specific consideration during the current crisis in Ireland are discussed below. The authors recognise the use of the terms ‘disabled people’ by some disability activists in Ireland. However, this paper uses ‘persons with disabilities’ in line with the text of the UNCRPD.

Article 5 enshrines the right to equality and non-discrimination. Emergency measures and legislation enacted during this crisis must ensure that persons with disabilities are not discriminated against in any aspect of their lives. Intersectional discrimination experienced by persons with disabilities during this crisis along race, age, gender, sexuality, refugee and socio-economic identities must also be addressed.

Article 10 obliges the state to protect the right to life of persons with disabilities. Decisions based on the distribution of life-saving resources must not be based on the presence of a disability. The World Medical Association ethical guidance for provision of life-saving treatment must be followed. ‘In selecting the patients who may be saved, the physician should consider only their medical status and predicted response to the treatment and should exclude any other consideration based on non-medical criteria’, (World Medical Association, Statement on medical ethics in the event of disasters, Section 8.3.1, https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-statement-on-medical-ethics-in-the-event-of-disasters/).

Article 11 obliges the state to ensure the safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, conflict, humanitarian emergencies or natural disasters. States must ensure that laws, policies, and resource allocation measures are carried out in a way that protects persons with disabilities from the risk of infection and death.

Article 19 provides for the right to exercise choice and control over where and with whom to live, to participate in the community on an equal basis as other and to have access to any supports needed to enable them to live independently. Without adequate planning and resources, the current social distancing requirements will disproportionately impact persons with disabilities living in health and social care residential settings.

Article 25 enshrines the right to the highest attainable standards of health for persons with disabilities. Health facilities available to the general public must be equally available and accessible to persons with disabilities.

While the current pandemic is impacting on all members of society The UN Rapporteur on Disability has identified persons with disabilities as vulnerable during this global health pandemic, (UN News, ‘Preventing discrimination against people with disabilities in COVID-19 response https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/03/1059762). We call on the Government to ensure:

• Accurate and up to date information on testing and access to health and public services must be available in a wide variety of languages and accessible formats. Information must be easily accessible on public platforms for individuals and service providers. This includes availability of health passports for persons with diverse communication needs and making information available through assistive technology, Irish Sign Language and Easy to Read formats.

• Adhere to the World Medical Association guidance on equal treatment within triage health services. Healthcare needs, including mental health, which are not related to COVID-19, must continue to be met. Where possible services such as counselling should be conducted remotely.

• Persons with disabilities must be involved in decision making around their own healthcare.

It may be critical for some people who have disabilities to have either paid or unpaid support with them during a hospitalisation as these people would have the ability to best support someone during a hospital stay. Where appropriate persons with disabilities should be supported to recover from any COVID-19 related illness in their own home, on an equal basis with the non-disabled population.

• A coordinated approach must be taken to ensure supports can be provided to families of children with disabilities, including adult children. This includes the provision of education materials and social supports in the home where education, employment and day services have ceased operation during the crisis.

• Person-centered planning should govern the activities of disability service providers to promote the autonomy of the individual and to minimise disruption to routine which could be distressing for some persons with disabilities. Community supports for provision of vital supplies and social connections must be accessible to persons with disabilities.

• Social welfare supports for loss of income must be available to persons with disabilities and recognise any increased costs connected to disability during the pandemic. Remote working technologies should be utilized to ensure continued employment for persons with disabilities where possible.

• Advocacy services must be made available to individuals detained under the soon to be enacted Health (Preservation and Protection and Other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020. Risk control measures must be in place to ensure no one is subjected to deprivation of liberty without proper legal procedure and safeguards.

• Extend the role of HIQA to risk assess for outbreaks of COVID-19 infection in nursing homes to include other congregated settings.

Signed by:

Amnesty International Ireland, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland, Centre for Disability Law and Policy at NUI Galway, Cosáin CLG, Dara Community Living Kildare, Dermot M.J.Hayes – NDS DSG 5 & Independent Living Network Ireland & Clare Leader Forum, Disability Federation of Ireland, Down Syndrome Ireland, Fiona Anderson, Dr. Fiona Morrissey – Disability Law Researcher, Galway, Fiona Walsh, Inclusion Ireland, Independent Living Movement Ireland, Inclusive Living Network, LEAP Ireland,Maria Walls -PhD Scholar & DSG member, Paul Markey -PhD Hume Scholar, Maynooth University, Psychological Society of Ireland, Recovery Experts by Experience, St. John of God’s CLG.

Please direct any queries to Dr. Áine Sperrin, Centre for Disability Law and Policy: aine.sperrin@nuigalway.ie

Useful Podcasts during Covid-19

RTÉ – Today with Sean O’Rourke

RTÉ - Today with Sean O'Rourke

The mid-morning current affairs magazine with the stories of the day, sharp analysis, sports coverage, in-depth features and consumer interest.

Covid-19: Minding Your Mental Health In Isolation:
Dr. Harry Barry, GP; Enda Murphy, Psychotherapist & Anne Marie Creaven, Psychologist

Covid-19: Uplifting Books for Self-Isolation

Rick O’Shea, Presenter of The Book Show and Curator of the Rick O’Shea Book Club on Facebook & Louisa Cameron, Raven Books, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Covid-19: Alone Helpline

Evelyn O’Rourke talked to some people at the heart of the Alone Charity

Covid-19: Healthy Eating During a Shutdown

Louise Reynolds, Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute & Professor Frank Murray, Liver Specialist and Former President of the Royal College of Physicians

Covid-19: Fitness At Home

Niall Moyna, Professor of Health and Human Performance at DCU & Lindsay Peat, Ireland International Rugby Player

Special Message Regarding COVID-19 from the Wheel.ie

With the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ireland, we are facing a a challenge that is unprecedented in modern history. It is also fair to say, however, that we as a people are rising admirably to that challenge and working together as we attempt to stem the worst of this crisis.

 

To help you with some practicalities and to keep you informed of the evolving situation, we encourage you to keep an eye on our COVID-19 information hub, and to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for additional updates and supports.

Share your positive stories: #CommunityResponseIRL

Resources during Covid-19

Children:

The Department of Education and Skills has prepared information about Talking to children and young people about COVID-19 (pdf).

 

Community Groups:

COVID-19 Government Action Plan to support the community response.

COVID-19 Posters/Videos English & Irish, available here.

To support the community response to COVID-19 the DRCD have developed a suite of leaflets about volunteering, on supporting communities and advice during this time. Find out more here.

Irish Rural Link have prepared a useful ‘Protocol for Community Groups and Volunteers in delivering services’ during COVID19. Access the protocol here.

 

Essential Services:

Galway County Council has updated its provision of services during COVID-19.

 

Housing:

Emergency measures were announced on 19 March 2020 to protect tenants who have been impacted by COVID-19.  

 

Immigration:

Immigration permissions during COVID-19 have changed. Immigration Services Division has a list of frequently asked questions about these changes.

 

Information:

HSE (Health Service Executive) COVID-19 updates available here.

HPSC (Health Protection Surveillance Centre) – Guidance for healthcare professionals on COVID-19 available here.

Government of Ireland (Gov.ie) COVID-19 – Latest Updates available here.

 

Mental Health

List of Mental Health Supports from HSE.ie, available here.

Advice on Minding your Mental Health during the outbreak available here.  

Jigsaw Resource to Coping with the impact from Corona Virus.

 

Online and phone supports: Face-to-face interaction may be limited during this period. There are many online mental health resources and phone services that can help. Check here.

 

Older People:

Information on supports for older people during the coronavirus pandemic.

Older people who have questions or concerns can contact:

  • ALONE helpline on 0818 222 014
  • Senior helpline on 1800 804 591

Advice for the elderly and those who need supports- Advice during COVID-19.

Information on how to guard against fraud and generate trust-Protecting against fraud.

 

Social Security:

If you have lost your job, or been laid off because of COVID-19, you can apply for the COVID-19 Unemployment Payment.

How to nominate a temporary agent to collect DEASP payments: An Post Temporary Agent Form

On 19 March 2020, DEASP announced that social welfare payments will paid on a double (two-week) basis. You can find out more about these changes.

The DEASP also have a dedicated COVID-19 Income Support Helpline (open from 9am-5pm, 01-2481398 / 1890-800-024.

All of our updates, contacts, links & info here.

Find out more about your employment rights during the COVID-19 restrictions.

 

Travel:

If you are planning to travel abroad, you should follow the travel advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

 

Volunteering:

Advice for those who want to volunteer- How can I volunteer in response to COVID-19?

‘Do’s and Don’ts’ of volunteering – Sensible volunteering in response to COVID-19

‘How can we get volunteers’? – Advice on the recruitment of volunteers for community groups.

If you are well enough and would like to volunteer, or are looking for volunteers, in response to COVID19 please register with Volunteer Centre Galway.