CREATE Project | Phase 2 2024-2025

The Health Passport for People with an Intellectual Disability - Introducing CREATE Project Phase 2 2024-2025

St Michael's House received additional funding for 2024/2025 to continue supporting service users to adopt the App version of the Health Passport.

Phase 1 saw an in-depth trial of the paper-based Health Passport within adult respite services in SMH. This phase outlined the requirements and supports needed for service users, families and staff in respect of understanding what the Health Passport is, and how it can be effectively used in healthcare settings to enhance both healthcare and safety.

We are grateful for the support of Enda Finneran, his family and staff in Belcamp Day Service as our first service user ambassador for the passport. We are delighted that Enda has agreed to continue as Ambassador for Phase 2 of the Project.

Nationally, in Phase 1 an Expert Advisory Group (SMH is represented on this group) was devised to look at redesigning the App version of the Health Passport, based on an evaluation from various stakeholders. The new version is now ready for testing by Service Users, carers and healthcare staff in differing healthcare environs i.e. primary and acute care before being rolled out nationally. Some Service Users and Family members in SMH have kindly agreed to participate in focus groups to trial the App in order to provide feedback nationally.

 In addition, we will continue to collaborate with existing academic partners from Phase 1 of the project, in DCU and TCD, and we are exploring options to develop links with other institutions and acute settings. Vital to the success of the project is that people who use our service are involved in the co-design and implementation of the project. Service Users will be paid as Consultant Advisors in the project for their involvement in Community of Practice meetings, Easy Read Advisory Meetings, Service User and Family feedback meetings.

Pivotal to the process is the digital literacy of all, thus, we are exploring options with local initiatives to deliver digital skills coaching for Service Users- including awareness of online safety and privacy etc.- with the aim of also training Service Users to become Digital skills coaches and receive payment for their work.

The CREATE Team in SMH for Phase 2 is led by Feabhra Mullally. Currently she is actively engaging with service users, families and staff to scope requirements to address how we can develop a sustainable digital skills assessment and learning programme, using a cross-organisation collaborative approach. Training in Digital Skills for Service Users is being piloted currently in Northbrook Day Service and Omni Day Service. Anne Spencer, the former Project Lead, will be working with Feabhra in a voluntary capacity throughout Phase 2.

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