Health Board: Upcoming conferences, talks, campaigns and events

1) The private homecare business, Home Instead Senior Care, will host a free Alzheimer's and dementia care workshop on Tuesday, June 26th, from 7pm-9pm at Brewery Court, Brewery Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin. The two-hour workshop explains the symptoms of dementia and how to keep a person with dementia engaged and safe at home. Phone 01-206 8022 or email bernie.ruddock@homeinstead.ie for more details.

2) The Rutland addiction treatment centre in Knocklyon, Dublin, celebrates its 40th birthday this year. In advance of its "recovery month" in September, the staff is keen to hear from some of the 10,000 people who have been through its doors since it first opened in 1978. The idea is to share stories of recovery to inspire others on their journey to recovery. If you have recovered from alcohol, gambling or any other addiction and spent time at the Rutland Centre, you can share your story on its Facebook page, contact Maebh Mullany at 01-494 6358, or email MaebhMullany@rutlandcentre.ie.

3) Blood Bikers are volunteers who transport blood products, medical samples, records, test results, medical devices, human breast milk and transplant related tissue by motorbike to and from hospitals, hospices and medical laboratories. The greater Dublin group, Blood Bikes East, celebrates its fifth year of work in June and answer about 350 calls for its services each month. See bloodbikeseast.ie if you're a biker and have some time to join this valuable team of volunteers.

4) The professional titles of 'dietician' and 'speech therapist' are legally protected titles in Ireland from June, 2018. They have just been added to the list of protected titles regulated by CORU, the healthcare professional regulator in 2016. Only those who have applied or registered with CORU are now entitled to practise using these titles. The statutory registration process aims to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence. There are strict penalties for anyone who continues to misuse a protected title. See coru.ie.

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5) To celebrate International PKU Day, the PKU Association of Ireland (PKUAI) will host its inaugural breakfast briefing event on Thursday, June 28th, at Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin, from 8am. Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare genetic disorder that affects a person's metabolism. Renowned Danish dietician Kirsten Ahring is the special guest. At 7.30pm that evening at the Clayton Airport Hotel, PKUAI host its inaugural social evening. See pku.ie.

6) Eating well during and after treatment for cancer is the theme of a talk on Friday, June 29th at 11am by Veronica Dick senior dietician in oncology and haematology at the Mater Hospital, Dublin. The free public talk will be held in the ARC Cancer Support Centre, Eccles Street, Dublin 7.  More details and advanced booking on on 01 – 830 7333.

sthompson@irishtimes.com