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Flunited is a national campaign, led by the IPA, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of vaccinating children against the flu. It encourages parents and guardians of children aged 2–17 years to join the ‘Flunited’ team, and make a collective effort to give flu the red card. 

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Support Groups

The Irish Patients' Association understands that many patients and their care givers require information and resources to help them every day. 
For this reason, the IPA have put together a list of some Irish support groups so that you can stay informed.

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The IPA are here to act as a go-between for any patient or their family that feels they have not received adequate care and attention through the Irish health care system and can also put you in touch with support groups that might help. 

Advocating For You

The Irish Patients' Association Responds to Journalists about the Irish Health System 

Join the ‘Flunion’ and Protect Kids and Communities from Flu This Winter

Monday 25 November 2024

Join the ‘Flunion’ and Protect Kids and Communities from Flu This Winter

IPA Response in Article:

The Irish Patients Association (IPA) is launching the “Flunion” campaign to encourage parents to protect children and the wider community from the flu this winter. According to a recent Empathy Research survey, over half of Irish parents say their child missed school last year due to flu or flu-like symptoms, with one in five relying on grandparents for care. Yet, despite these impacts, 53% of parents still hesitate to get the free flu vaccine for their child, citing lack of time as a common reason.


The vaccine, administered as a quick and painless nasal spray, is available free at GPs and pharmacies for children ages 2-17. It offers effective protection, helping to reduce missed school days and GP visits due to flu. Almost half of parents worry that flu absences affect their child’s learning, while one in four report missed school activities. Additionally, unvaccinated children can spread flu to vulnerable relatives, increasing community health risks.


Dr. Lisa Cunningham, an emergency medicine consultant, emphasizes the importance of accessible vaccination, highlighting that “pharmacists are the cornerstone of community influenza vaccination for children, with appointments in many pharmacies and GPs offering this free service.” 


Stephen McMahon of the IPA adds that the Flunion campaign, supported by AstraZeneca, seeks to empower parents with the resources they need to protect children easily and effectively.


The IPA calls on parents to join the ‘Flunion’ and protect their children and communities this winter by availing of the simple nasal spray flu vaccine. For more information, visit www.irishpatients.ie.

Headline: Overcrowding crisis: Why is the problem not yet fixed?

Saturday 7 January 2023

Headline: Overcrowding crisis: Why is the problem not yet fixed?

Website: www.rte.ie

IPA Response in Article:

Stephen McMahon of the Irish Patients' Association said that the HSE and the Government have been led into an emergency response, due to the lack of preparation. He said that the Emergency Department Task Force set up in 2016 by then-minister for health Leo Varadkar provided a whole-of-organisation senior management response, with patient representatives on board too.

"It met as many as nine times in a year during Leo Varadkar’s tenure but has only met twice this year," Mr McMahon said. "Bed capacity is a big factor. Bed numbers are regularly announced and repackaged. There never seems to be a reconciled bed count."

Headline: Patients 'dying unnecessarily' in Irish hospitals due to overcrowding, doctor says

Thursday 5 January 2023

Headline: Patients 'dying unnecessarily' in Irish hospitals due to overcrowding, doctor says

IPA Response in Article:

Steven McMahon from the Irish Patients' Association is demanding answers from the HSE.

He told Newstalk: "The narrative from the HSE will be 'all this is a once-in-a-lifetime storm' ... No, we've had €23 billion invested in the system, and hundreds of millions put in to top up the system. And there's been very little accountability."

Headline: People will only go to A&E if their lives depend on it — poll reveals

Sunday 8 January 2023

Headline: People will only go to A&E if their lives depend on it — poll reveals

IPA Response in Article:

Stephen McMahon, of the Irish Patients’ Association, said the data appears to confirm that harm has been caused to patients during the current hospital overcrowding crisis. “Studies have shown that such events in Irish hospitals are under-reported by as much as a factor of two,” he said.

“While the number of adverse incidents may appear small, these numbers are likely to increase.

“We would encourage all healthcare professions to report adverse events as they are aware of them to the National Incident Management System.”

Headline: Consultants Warning 1,000 On Trolleys If Hospital Overcrowding Crisis Isn't Addressed

Thursday 5 January 2023

Headline: Consultants Warning 1,000 On Trolleys If Hospital Overcrowding Crisis Isn't Addressed

IPA Response in Article:

The Irish Patients' Association says better accountability is needed to deal with overcrowding. The association's Co-founder, Stephen McMahon, says the Emergency Department Taskforce should be meeting more regularly after only meeting twice in 2022.

Headline: Minister warns of further A&E pressure amid worst crowding since INMO records began

Wednesday 4 January 2023

Headline: Minister warns of further A&E pressure amid worst crowding since INMO records began

IPA Response in Article:

Stephen McMahon of the Irish Patients Association warned overcrowding “contributes to preventable deaths and injuries in our hospitals and communities”.

About Us

The Irish Patients’ Association’s Mission is to keep the patient at the centre of the healthcare system.

It does this by advocating for the needs of patients to be paramount while working in partnership with health providers.

Through contact with patients, their families, and their carers, the Irish Patients Association (IPA) keeps abreast of ongoing and emerging patient needs.

The Association addresses various committees, working groups and public bodies on behalf of patients.

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Support and advice you can trust 

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ADVOCATING WITH YOU AND FOR YOU

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