Post February 2024 Meeting Update
UNITED NATIONS - DECADE OF HEALTHY AGEING. 2021 – 2030
https://www.decadeofhealthyageing.org/
WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION BASELINE REPORT [Dec 2020]
Post February 2024 Meeting Update
Eileen opened the meeting by welcoming everyone, especially those who came along for the first time.
Topic: Biologic, Biosimilar & Generic Medicines – You & Your Medicines.
We were delighted to have Rhona O’Neill MPSI along to our meeting. Rhona is Chief Pharmacist with HSE in Acute Hospital Drug Management Programme [St James Hospital]. Prior to her current position she was Senior Clinical Pharmacist at Guys Hospital & St Thomas NHS Trust. She also spent time at Kings College Hospital London and graduated from University College London with a Masters from Robert Gordon University Scotland.
To a full room Rhona introduced us to this whole area of medicines. Each of the topic headings i.e. biologics, biosimilar and generics were explained as well as the size and complexity of the drugs. Facts and the myths, including amongst others, the sources & uses of biologic medicines were highlighted. Rhona outlined the regulatory environment, the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines and the role of the European Medicines Agency – EMA.
At the end of presentation Rhona reminded us of the HSE – My Medicines List information leaflet which can be accessed via the HSE website as follows.
https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/nqpsd/patient-safety-programme/medication-safety/my-medicines-list-jan-2020.pdf
You can print the form also from www.safermeds.ie or ask for a copy at your local pharmacy
Following Q&A Madeline thanked Rhona for such a great presentation – fantastic new learnings and highly relevant information for our Lifelong U3A Learning Group.
External Cultural trips/Visits - Spring/Summer
On arrival to the meeting members indicated their level of interest in the various places suggested at our January meeting as follows:
March/April –– Corry coordinating with Aidan Giblin – Friday May 10th - 10.30 - 12 pm.
April 17 – Dunsink Observatory – suggested date – Hannah doing the research and will update the March meeting with more information.
May 29 – Tree Top Avondale. Vera outlined the self-directed transport available
June 12 – Visit to TCD Book of Kells Immersive Experience - €20 euro.
Pauline provided detailed information for this trip. She has advised that she is organizing the Book of Kells Experience and she would like those who have expressed an interest in going to bring €20 with them to our March meeting so that she can go ahead with the booking for Wednesday 12th June. https://www.visittrinity.ie/book-of-kells-experience/
July 10th – Coach trip to Famine Museum, Strokestown.
Catriona/Monica outlined the transport/coach arrangements with indications of cost for this trip. To make this viable numbers would need to around 25 people. At this stage it is estimated that the cost for the full day trip to include and lunch would be in the order of €50. More detailed information will be provided at the March meeting.
August 28th – Visit to Drimnagh Castle. This date was agreed. High level of interest in this and tours need to be booked in advance. Both Luas and By Bus details were provided at the February meeting. [note the Castle is now open following some maintenance]
September 4th – Visit to Nano Nagel Centre Cork. Again high level of interest in this visit and a revised date of September is now proposed by Aidan Maher. Further information being provided at the March meeting.
Other places to visit were also identified - further discussion at March/April meeting.
Boyne Valley & Surrounding area – Sheila.
Croke Park Stadium Tour & Museum or Skyline Tour
Carrickmacross Workhouse Museum
St Audeon’s Church visitor Centre – free tours.
Boyne Valley
Again, there will be an opportunity for individuals to register their ‘expression of interest’ in these at the March 13h meeting.
Other Information
1. World Hearing Day – Sunday March 3 2024.
Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all is the theme for this World Hearing Day. There are over 700 activities all around the world to increase awareness of the importance of hearing health.
Go to https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-hearing-day/2024
2. Creative Brain Week March 4-9th March - https://creativebrainweek.com/
Creative Brain Week 2024 – 4-9th March 2024 – This year’s theme is Attention, Connection and Love - CreativeBrainWeekProgramme
This is an online and in person event which explores and celebrate how brain science and creativity collide to seed new ideas in social development, technology, entrepreneurship, wellbeing and physical, mental and brain health across the life cycle. It is an annual pioneering event illustrates innovation at the intersection of arts and brain science, including creative approaches to health.
3. Royal College of Surgeons Ireland RCSI - Science of Health and Happiness 2.0-Free
RCSI_The Science of Health&Happiness.
If you are interested in delving deeper into the whole area of the Science of Health, Happiness, and holistic well-being RCSI has developed a video programme which you can access online. Every Wednesday morning for 11 weeks they release a new content video.
You can register for on their website - free - Week 1 and Week 2 already up on their website.
Positive Health & Getting Started_RCSI
The Journey into the Good Life_Week 2
4. Age Friendly Weekly Newsletter: - March 1 2024
Just a brief reminder that there is a weekly newsletter issued by Age Friendly and you can read March 1 2024 issue on their website – Attached for ease of reference but can be viewed on their website also. https://agefriendlyireland.ie/news/age-friendly-ireland-newsletter-friday-1st-march/
Please refer to the piece in this weeks newsletter in relation to the invitation to an event to celebrate International Women's Day March 12th the Hive 9.30 - 12.00
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DIARY ENTRY – NEXT MEETING MARCH 13 2024 – BALDOYLE LIBRARY.
The topic for our next meeting is ‘Challenges and Opportunities Presented by Artificial Intelligence’ - some of examples of AI technology. Speakers from TUD and DCU.
February 29 2024.