Health Navigators Project

The Health Navigators Mobile Team is a partnership project with the Health Service Executive (HSE). The project focuses on the immediate healthcare needs of individuals who have applied for International Protection (IPAs) and Beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection (BOTPs) facilitating access to healthcare pathways and services.

The team consists of outreach workers and interpreters who support the HSE teams. They visit accommodation sites daily in the specific HSE CHO area (Dublin North City and County).

The services provided by the Health Navigators include:

• Assisting individuals in accessing the Medical Card scheme.
• Helping individuals access GP services.
• Inviting individuals to undergo health assessments and health screening and providing logistical support throughout the process.
• Identifying clients with health needs and assisting them in accessing the relevant services.
• Assisting with accessing vaccination schemes, including COVID testing.
• Providing information on health and social services in response to queries during site visits.
• Operating triage line.

Community development

This strand focuses on building the capacity of BOTPs to address healthcare access issues and the impact of social determinants of health, including access to other services such as employment, accommodation, education, childcare etc.

Cairde uses a community development approach in this and creates space to collectively identify these issues and to provide health information, advocacy and signposting.