Policy and Management Programmes

The following programmes underpin the provision, funding and delivery of the Polio Survivors' supports.

Building Adaptation

Assist Polio Survivors to make arrangements to adapt their homes, working towards a quality and standard of access which supports them in their efforts to maintain a high degree of independence

Assistive Technology

Provide Polio Survivors with technological and related products and systems which can make living easier and so reduce or eliminate dependency

Research

Review current research on Post Polio Syndrome and developments related to the Late Effects of Polio encouraging and supporting relevant applied research

Fundraising

Conduct carefully planned initiatives to raise funds to complement that provided, principally by the Health Service Executive, to allow the Group more scope for its support efforts

Evaluation, Monitoring and Accountability

Conduct regular oversight and review of all arrangements to support Polio Survivors to improve their effectiveness and efficiency, implementing assurance mechanisms, as required

Policy Support

Work in partnership with relevant Government Departments, their agencies, in particular, the Health Service Executive in developing the necessary supports to maintain the dignity and independence of Polio Survivors

Service Level Agreement and Business Planning

Negotiate service level agreements developing constructive partnerships with the Health Service Executive and others to serve the needs of Polio Survivors. Draw up Business Plans to ensure delivery of the Group’s commitments and put the arrangements in place to ensure purposeful review of the process

Counselling

Make arrangements for counselling support for Polio Survivors should they require it

Create Awareness

Design and implement initiatives to create awareness of the Late Effects of Polio targeting individual Polio Survivors, their families and carers, health care professionals and whole communities

Contact and Support

Maintain contact programmes with Polio Survivors to ensure that their sense of isolation is minimal and that they can be made aware of the supports available to them

Disability Sector

Take an active role in the development of the Disability Sector working in partnership with stakeholders in like groups in developing services and other supports

Membership Development

Encourage all Polio Survivors to join the Post Polio Support Group (membership fee €10, optional) as this provides the most effective means of maintaining contact and passing on information on new developments

Develop Volunteer Base, Local and Regional Structures

A well developed local structure is required to support the nationwide organisation and to invigorate it. Linkage to local health service delivery, as appropriate, will continue to be important

Future Service Development

Continue to examine, with suitable expert assistance, the services, treatment and management options which might be made available to Polio Survivors

Advocacy

The Post Polio Support Group is the national campaigner for the Polio Survivor community and acts to maximise the entitlements available and to ensure that Polio Survivors both individually and as a group are treated with dignity

Training and Development

Conduct an active programme of training and development encompassing the Board and Committee members, those members with particular responsibilities within the Group and the executive staff

Physiotherapy

Make arrangements for Polio Survivors to receive therapy designed to alleviate pain and ease muscle and joint problems

Aids and Appliances

Provide devices designed to reduce or eliminate pain and fatigue and to increase the capacity of Polio Survivors to function as independently as possible

Occupational Therapy

Provide devices designed to reduce or eliminate pain and fatigue and toincrease the capacity of Polio Survivors to function as independently as possible

Respite Care

Make arrangements for Polio Survivors and their carers to avail of short periods of rest and relief where necessary

Providing Information

Make information available in accessible formats to Polio Survivors and to all involved in their support and treatment, in particular those working in the medical and social care professions

Diagram showing our services and supports for Polio

Jigsaw

The jigsaw diagram is a pictorial representation of the work that the Group does to ensure development of the essential management structures to fund and deliver the necessary supports to Polio Survivors, not just today, but into the future. The centre focus of the jigsaw is the delivery of the more familiar supports that Polio Survivors can expect from the Group. The other pieces represent the other important work being done. Most importantly, the job of the Group is to push all the pieces together, complete the jigsaw and make our Group as effective as it can be to deliver the best quality care to Polio Survivors: and this we will do!

If you look closely you will see that not all the pieces match with each other. These are the problem areas that still exist. This highlights the re engineering the Group has to do to make the picture come together. We look forward with confidence that we can make this happen.