In short

More health news in brief.

Kilkenny commnity service praised

PEOPLE WITH arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders are the most frequent users of chronic illness services in the community, a report into a pioneering service in Co Kilkenny has found, writes Muiris Houston.

At the publication of a report on the Ceart Health Partnership, Prof Paul Finucane said: "This approach is different because it is community-based, rather than a service being imposed on a community by institutions."

Funded by the HSE, Ceart is an integrated health support network for patients with complex chronic illnesses. GP Dr Patrick Crowley joined with local therapeutic communities to pioneer a new approach to rehabilitation, therapy and health supports. The report found that people had been offered a range of therapies including physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture, psychotherapy and art therapy and that the service was seen as person-centred. The authors found a low referral rate to Ceart by the hospital sector, and recommended that the reasons for this be examined.

Haemochromatosis early diagnosis

The Irish Haemo- chromatosis Association, which has 11,000 members, has stressed the importance of early diagnosis, after the issue was highlighted in last week's edition. It encourages people to consults its website www.haemochromatosis-ir.com.

Cystic fibrosis fundraiser

Joe Kavanagh and his nine-year-old son Seán, who has cystic fibrosis, will be cycling 176 miles from Bray to Ballyhea in Co Cork next Monday (Seán's birthday) on a tandem to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. Details on www.cfireland.ie or phone 087-2707407.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times