Approximately 200 professionals attended a Sexual Health Conference focusing on digital technology and communication and their impact on sexual wellbeing on Wednesday, 2nd October, in Cork City Hall.
The conference titled ‘Minding your Sexual Wellbeing in a Digital Era’ was hosted by the Sexual Health Network, the only network of its kind in Ireland. The network established in 2018, as a forum for knowledge and information sharing, capacity building, awareness raising and referral opportunities between services in matters of sexual health, healthy relationships and wellbeing in Cork and Kerry.
The network, which commenced initially with 8 sexual health organisation and charities, has evolved to include a membership of 16 organisations and charities that span across Cork and Kerry. These comprise of HSE services and community and voluntary organisations. The network is funded by the Healthy Ireland Grant Funding via Cork City Council who hosted the conference on the day.
Chairperson of the Sexual Health Network and Manager of the HSE Youth Health Service, Geraldine Gannon, opened the conference on the day, and a welcome address was given by Dr Andy Phillips, Regional Executive Officer, HSE South West.
The conference included four keynote addresses, from some of Ireland’s leading experts on sexuality and digital wellbeing – Justin Harbottle from SH24; Jane McGarrigle, National Coordinator with Webwise; Detective Sergeant Anne McGowan from An Garda Síochána and finally, Dr Nicola Murphy, Special Registrar in Public Health Medicine completed the final keynote address.
Participants to the conference, were invited to roundtable discussion with committee members of each of the service involved with the network to highlight and build further awareness the various sexual health resources available in Cork and Kerry.
Finally the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle, gave closing remarks.
ACCESS TO SUPPORT
From dedicated counselling, to exhaustive information to screening and testing, the network’s organisations ensure that people of Cork and Kerry have access to and support in all matters of sexual health.
The network members include clinical, support and capacity building services from both statutory and non-statutory services based in Cork and Kerry. For more information on the Sexual Health Network and services available visit www.mysexualhealth.ie
