ANNUAL REPORT 2016

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FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES:

• Combinedoralcontraceptivepill,theminipillandNuvaring

• Intrauterinedevices,includingMirena,Jaydess,CopperandFlexi-T

• Implants(Implanon)andinjectablecontraception(DepoProvera)

• Evra(contraceptivepatch)

• Emergencycontraceptionpillsandpost-coitalcoils

WOMEN’S AND GENERAL HEALTH SERVICES:

• Pregnancytestingandbloodtesting

• Initialinfertilityinvestigations

• Postterminationmedicalcheck-ups

• Breastexaminations

• P.M.S.andMenopauseconsultations

SCREENING AND SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES:

• CervicalsmeartestingCervicalCheck(theNationalCervicalScreeningProgramme)andBiomnis

• ScreeningforSexually-TransmittedInfections(Men’sSTIscreeningisavailableinPembrokeRoadandLiffeyStreet)

• Chlamydiatesting

• Cryotherapy

• HPVtyping

COUNSELLING:

• Non-directivepregnancycounselling,andpost-terminationcounsellingavailableinallcentres,freeofcharge

• Generalcounsellingavailableinallcentres(includingsexualabuse,depression,relationshipissues,stress,lowself-esteem).

• InPembrokeRoadConsultantPsychiatristDrEimerPhilbinBowmandealswithissuesincludingphobias,panicattacks,depression,eatingdisorders,psycho-sexualproblemsandvaginismus.

More information on services and opening hours can be obtained by visiting our website, www.wellwomancentre.ie or by phoning any Well Woman centre.

67PembrokeRoad,Ballsbridge,Dublin4Tel:016609860/Tel:016681108

NorthsideShoppingCentre,Coolock,Dublin5Tel:018484511

35LowerLiffeyStreet,Dublin1Tel:018728051/Tel:018728095

WELL WOMAN MEDICAL AND COUNSELLING SERVICES 2016

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CONTENTSA MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRWOMAN 4

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT 6

MEDICAL DIRECTOR’S COMMENTARY AND REPORT 8

COUNSELLING SERVICES: AN OVERVIEW 13

ANNE CRAWFORD– A TRIBUTE 15

WINNING THE EIR SPIDER AWARD 16

SEXUAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND GUIDANCE (SHAG) EVENTS 18

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016 19

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS 21

THE WELL WOMAN TEAM 2016 23

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRWOMAN

Lookingbackover2016,Icansaywithcertaintythatitwastheyear inwhichthedifficultdecisionsofthepreviousyearsbegantodeliverfortheorganisation.

Aspartofanimpactfulrestructuring,wehadreducedouropeninghours inCoolockandPembrokeRoadin2015;wehavebeenincrementallyrebuildingthemeversince,butonlyinthoseclinictimeswherewehavebeensatisfiedthatprovendemandexistsforourser-vices.Ourrestructuringofthemiddlemanagementtier,inwhichwemovedtoanOperationsManagermodel,hasalsoyieldedpositiveresults.

As a result of ourmany efforts, and thanks to theco-operation of staff, the organisation delivered asecondyearofsurplusin2016.Weareconfidentthatthedifficultdecisionstakenwerenecessary,andwillremainrelevant.

Wehavestartedplanningforthemedium-termtrans-formationof theDublinWellWomanCentre,withaworkinggroupofBoardmembersandseniormanage-mentbeingestablished in2016.Asastartingpointtothegroup’swork,wesurveyedpatientsinallthree

clinicstogaugetheir interest inanumberofpoten-tialnewmedicalservices.WealsoheldastimulatingconsultationsessionwitharetailconsultantinAutumn2016,whichcontinuedtheprocessoflookingatwhatWellWomancanbecome.

Interestingly, thistakesplaceagainstabackdropofeconomicrecoveryinIreland.Whilethereisnocausefor complacency, and Brexit represents a ‘knownunknown’intermsofitspotentialimpactonIreland,itisundoubtedlytruethatthepressureondiscretionaryspendingforconsumershaseased,andmanywomenareonceagaintakingamoreproactiveinterestintheirhealthandwell-being.

Buildingonour2015DigitalMarketingStrategy, in2016we launchedanewwebsite. Itwasmostsat-isfyingformeasChairwomantoseeWellWoman’swebsiterecognisedbywinningtheBestCharity/NotforProfitwebsiteattheprestigiouseirSpidersawardsinNovember2016.Adetailedreportonthewebsiteisfeaturedelsewhereinthisreport;Iwouldliketocon-gratulateeveryoneinvolvedinitscreation.

The ever-evolving digital space makes focussingonourbrandandcustomerexperienceall themoreimportant. InSummer2016weconductedour3rdannualPatientSatisfactionSurvey.Itwashugelygrat-ifyingtoseesuchhigh levelsofpatientsatisfaction–onceagain93%ofWellWomanpatientsarehappytorecommendustoafriend,colleagueorfamilymem-ber.FrommyownjobasHeadofInsights&PlanningatDublinAirportIknowthatthisisaveryhighscoreindeed,showinghowengagedwith thebrandWellWoman’spatientsare.

TheDublinWellWomanCentre takes seriously itsresponsibilitiesasarecipientofpublicfunding.WeareworkingconstructivelywiththeofficeoftheCharities

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Regulator,andhavealsocommittedtofulladoptionoftheGovernanceCodebytheendof2018.Bytheendof2016,wehadbeguntomovetowardsanewfor-matofBoardreport,amonthlydashboardfromseniormanagementbasedonaseriesoffinancial,organi-sational,governanceandcustomerexperienceKPIs(keyperformanceindicators).NotonlydoallofthesemeasuresrequireWellWomantoobservethehigheststandardsofgovernance–theypushustocontinueto‘keepoureyeontheball’wherewomen’shealthcareisconcernedandtokeepourexpertiserelevanttoandforwomen.Ourservicesmustbeevidence-based,andtheymustrespondtowhatwomenreallyneedfromaprimaryhealthcareprovider.

TheDublinWellWomanCentrehasa longhistory–over its40-yearexistence–ofsupportingwomenincrisispregnancy,andcampaigningfortheirrightstoinformationandbodilyautonomy.2016sawusreturntoactiveadvocacyandcampaigning,aswejoinedtheCoalitiontoRepealthe8thAmendment.

Aswecelebratethemanyachievementsof2016, itwasalsoayearofsadnessforWellWoman,asourlong-servingClinicNurseAnneCrawforddiedunex-pectedly.AnneworkedwiththeDublinWellWomanCentre from1983,andwasafamiliar facetomanypatients.Shewasaconsummatelyprofessionalnurseandaneffectiveanchorforourclinicalservices.Annecalmlydischargedthemanyadministrativetasksthatattend our service, including processing tests forpatients,arrangingfollow-upvisitsforthem,andliais-ingwithlaboratoriesandthoseotherhealthcarepro-fessionalstowhomwereferourpatients.

Muchmorethanthat,Annewasawarmlyhumorousandreassuringpresencefornervouspatients,andifshewasthebackboneoftheclinicintermsofsmoothadministrationandnurse-deliveredservices,shewasalsoverymuchattheheartofourteaminPembrokeRoad.She isgreatlymissed. Inourongoingwork,wegreatlyvalueourpositivepartnerrelationshipwiththeH.S.E.WeareproudtodeliverGMSservices inCoolock, alongwith crisispregnancy services andCervicalCheckcervicalscreeningservices inallourlocations.

WellWoman’ssuccessinservicedeliveryisbuiltonamassiveteameffort.Toallofourdedicateddoctors,nurses, counsellors, andadministration staff, hugethanks.

Inthestrategicdevelopmentoftheorganisation,theBoardofDirectors,theFinanceCommitteeandProject2018WorkingGroup,deserverecognitionforthetre-mendousamountofexpertiseandcommitmenttheygavetotheorganisationanditsseniormanagementduring2016.IwouldliketoextendparticularthankstoourChiefExecutiveandMedicalDirector-theircom-mitmentduringchallengingtimeshasbeenwonderful.I amproud tobeChairwomanof theWellWomanCentreandpartoftheteam,andtowitnessourresil-ienceanddeterminationtomodelthebeststandardsinwomen’shealthcare,aswellasadvocatingforourpatients.Ilookforwardtoourcontinueddevelopmentandsuccessinthecomingyear.Jan RichardsChairwoman, June 2017

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORTArguably,ourmostsignificantachievementin2016–certainlyourhappiestone-waswinningthepresti-giouseirSpidersawardforBestCharity/NotforProfitwebsite.Anaccountofouraimsandprocessaroundcreatingthenewwebsite iscontainedelsewhere inthisreport–sufficetosaythatwinningtheawardwaswonderfulrecognitionofthetremendousteameffortwhichwentintoitsproduction.

Followingonfromtwoyearsofdifficultdecisionswhichwerenecessarytosecureourfuture,wereachedaleveloffinancialandorganisationalstabilityin2016.Indeed,wehavenowstartedtoplanforwhattheDublinWellWomanCentrecanbecomeinthemedium-term:acut-ting-edgehealthserviceforwomen,characterisedbyexcellenceandinnovation.

In2016,wesetupaBoardandseniormanagementgrouping,Project2018,tostart thisdiscussionandplanningprocess.Astheprocessdevelops,wewillengagewithvariousstakeholders.Asastart,wecon-ducted researchwithpatientgroups ineachof thethreeclinicsto identifytheirviewsonpotentialnewservicesandlocations,andausefulStrategyDaywasheldwitharetailconsultantinAutumn2016.

During2016,our3rdannualPatientSatisfactionsurveyconfirmedagainthatourpatientsholdtheDublinWellWomanCentreinhighesteem,with93%preparedtorecommendustoafriend,familymemberorcolleague.Thesurveyalsogaveususefulpointersastohowvar-iousaspectsofourservicedeliverycanbeimproved,andweareworkingthisyeartomakethesehappen.

Againstthebackdropofcontinuedpublicandpoliti-cal focusongovernancedeficits inthenot-for-profitsector, it is importanttorememberthattheservicesprovidedbynot-for-profitorganisationsarevaluable,andimportanttoIrishsociety.

Theneedforgoodgovernancehaspresentedeachofusactiveinthesocialeconomywithanopportunitytogetourownhousesinorder.Goodgovernancemustbeattheheartofeverythingasocialenterprisedoes;inthisregard,WellWomaniscommittedtoworkingconstructivelywiththeCharitiesRegulatoryAuthority,andisworkingtowardsadoptionoftheGovernanceCodeforNGOs.

InlinewiththeenactmentoftheCompaniesAct,2014,wereviewedourgoverningdocumentduring2016,andconvenedanExtraordinaryGeneralMeetinginAutumn2016, atwhichwe adopted a newConstitution toreplaceourMemorandumandArticlesofAssociation(whichhaddatedfrom1977).

Withregardtovindicatingwomen’sreproductiverightsandchoices,westillhavea longwaytogo.During2016,WellWomanjoinedtheCoalitiontoRepealthe8thAmendment,anumbrellagroupingofovereightyprogressivehealthcare, feminist andsocial changeorganisations,allworkingtowardsrepealof the8thAmendment,andwiththeguidingprincipleofrespect-inganddefendingwomen’slives,healthandchoices.

Late in2016,theGovernmentconvenedaCitizen’sAssemblytoconsider,interalia,the8thAmendment.WellWomanwasoneofmanyorganisationstomakeapolicysubmission to theassembly, reflectingourmanyyearsofsupportingwomendealingwithcrisispregnancy.Inoursubmission,wehighlightedthedis-criminatorynatureofthecurrent legalsituation,andtheneed forsafeand legalabortionservices tobeavailabletowomeninIreland,inthecontextofpublichealthcaredelivery.

Afterlengthyconsiderationandthoroughengagementwithindividualsandgroupsonbothsidesoftheabor-tiondebate,theCitizen’sAssemblydeliveredaseries

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ofrecommendationsinSpring2017;attimeofwritinganOireachtascommitteeisbeingconvenedtodiscusshowtomoveforward.

What seems to no longer be under debate, politi-cally,isthattherewillbeareferendumaroundthe8thAmendment–whatremainstobedecidedishowfarthisreferendumwillgointermsofbroadeningaccesstoabortionservicesforwomeninIreland.

Whilethesepoliticaldeliberationsareongoing,WellWoman’srole inadvocatingforwomenwithacrisispregnancy,andinprovidingpost-abortionsupportstowomenandmen,willcontinue.

It is clear that Ireland’s sexual health needs havechanged,withmostpeoplenowhavinganumberofsexualpartnersthroughouttheirlives.Peoplelivelon-gerandconsequentlyremainsexuallyactiveforlonger;theirneedsaroundcontraception,fertility,reproductive

andsexualhealth,andsexualidentityaremorecom-plexandrelevantoverlongerperiods.Qualityservicesmustbeinplacetomeettheseneeds.

Imustthankmycolleaguesinthemanagementteam,andallofourstafffortheirdedicationtoourpatients,andtheirloyaltytowhatWellWomanrepresents.

Finally,warmestthanksmustgotoourChairwomanJanRichards,andtoWellWoman’sBoardofDirectors.JanandtheBoardgavemeextraordinarysupportandguidanceduring2016,forwhichIammostgrateful.

Alison BegasChief ExecutiveMay 2017

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MEDICAL DIRECTOR’S COMMENTARY AND REPORT

LARCS IN WELL WOMAN

Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) hasbeenanincreasinglypopularchoiceforwomenoverthelastfewyears.WellWomanprovidedfourdifferenttypesofLARCsduring2016:Mirena,Jaydess,CopperandImplanon.BoththeMirenaandJaydessLARCsareintrauterinehormonalsystems.TheImplanonisahor-monalimplantfittedundertheskinontheinneraspectoftheupperarm.Lastly,westockthreenon-hormonalcopperintrauterinedevicesineachclinic.

Womenliketheconvenienceofnothavingtoremem-bertotakeapilleveryday-“fitandforget”.Wheremenstrualcyclescantakeseveralmonthstoreverttonormalwhencontraceptivepillsarestopped,thisisnotthecasewhenaLARCisemployed.Thefactthatcontraceptionisveryquicklyreversedwhenthedeviceisremovedparticularlyappealstowomenwhoareconsideringpregnancyinthemediumterm.

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Copper Implanon Jaydess Mirena Total

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LARCS BY AGE GROUP

AllLARCscanbeusedbyallagegroupsbutyoungerwomen tend tochoosean implantwhich isplacedunderneaththeskin intheupperarminsteadofanintrauterinedevice.Themainsideeffectoftheimplantisthatitcancauseerraticbleedingbecauseitstopsovulationandsothereisnoregularmenstrualcycle.Intrauterinedevicesdonotrelyoninterruptiontoovu-lationfortheirmodeofactionsocyclesaremuchmorepredictable.Typically,womenwhohavehadchildren,

aswellasallwomenastheygetolder,tendtohaveheaviermenstrualbleeding.Duetothis, theMirenadevice,whichcontrolsbleeding,becomesthemethodof choice for women over the age of 35. MirenacanalsobeusedaspartofHormoneReplacementTreatment(HRT),soitcanhaveadualroleascontra-ceptionandmenopausetreatment.

�RCs by Age Group

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Copper Implanon Jaydess Mirena

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CHLAMYDIA TESTS

Therehasbeenadropinthenumberofpositiveteststhisyearbutchlamydiastillremainsthemostcommonbacterialsexuallytransmittedinfection.

Werecommendchlamydiatestingtoallourpatientswhohavehadachangeinsexualpartnerwithinthelast year.Mostmen andwomenwith a chlamydiainfectionhavenoorveryminorsymptomssoscreeningistheonlywaytoknowifthereisaninfection.Women

withachlamydia infectionmayget irregularvaginalbleedingandbothmenandwomencanexperiencepainonurination.Undiagnosedinfectionforwomeninparticularcanhave long-termdetrimentaleffectsonfertility,increasetheriskofectopicpregnancyandcausechronicpelvicpain.

Wediagnosemorechlamydia infections inthe25–29-yearagegroupthaninanyothergroup.

13921770 2030

33624089 4398 4543

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Negative Positive

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ANNUAL SMEAR TESTS

Thenumberofsmearteststakenhasbeendecreas-ing.Thisislargelyduetochangesinthemanagementalgorithmformanagingwomenwithminorchangesonsmeartests.

Previously,womenwithminorchangeswouldhavearepeattest insixmonthsandif theabnormalityhadclearedtheywouldhaveafurthertestatoneyearandthengobacktothenormalthree-yearrecall.Thishasbeengraduallychangingsincetheintroductionofthe

screeningprogrammein2009.During2015,humanpapillomavirus(HPV)testingwasintroducedand2016wasthefirstfullyearofthisnewtest.

Thismeansthatcervical testsamplesfromwomenwhohaveminorchangesarenowfurtherassessedandthosewith“lowrisk”HPVcontinueinthenormalthreeyearprogrammeandwomenwith“highrisk”HPVarereferredtocolposcopyimmediately.

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% Referred for Colposcopy by Age

25-29 30-34

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2002-2008 2009

COLPOSCOPY REFERRALSAsaresultofthenewalgorithm,wearereferringmorewomentocolposcopyinyoungeragegroupsbutreferringlessinwomenoverage35.

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HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (HRT)WellWomanhasseenmanymorewomenovertheyearswhohaverequestedinformationonthemenopause.Duetoadversepublicitytherewasareluctancetotakethismedication.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

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HRT Prescriptions

Systemic Local

ThisreluctanceisabatingandwearestartingtoprescribemoreHRTagain.Forperi-menopausalwomenwithseveresymptomssuchashotflushes,nightsweats,poorconcentrationandlowmood,HRTcanmakeaverypositiveimpactontheirqualityoflife.

Dr Shirley McQuadeMedical DirectorMay 2017

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COUNSELLING SERVICES: AN OVERVIEWGENERAL COUNSELLING:

WellWoman’sgeneralcounsellingserviceisavailabletoanyonewhowishestoexploreissues,pastorpres-ent,thatmaybeimpactingonherlife.OurcounsellorsareallprofessionallytrainedandfullyaccreditedwiththeIrishAssociationofCounsellingandPsychotherapy(IACP),andadheretoallprofessionalandethicalcrite-riarequired,includingregularsupervision.Thecoun-sellor’sroleistolisten,supportandfacilitatetheclienttoachievethechangess/hedesiresinherlife.

General counselling is available for issuessuchasdepression,self-esteem,stress,relationships,bereave-ment,lifechanges,andabuse.During2016wesawanincrease inthenumberofclientsattendingforgen-eralcounselling.Counsellingfeeshavebeenkeptatacompetitivelevel.

ConsultantPsychiatristDr.EimearPhilbinBowmanalsooffersserviceswithdealwithvaginisimus,eatingdisordersandphobiasinourPembrokeRoadclinic.

CRISIS PREGNANCY COUNSELLING:

Ourcrisispregnancycounsellingisnon-directive,clientdrivenandlegallycompliant.Ourcounsellorssupporttheclientindiscussingthethreeoptionsavailabletoher-parenting,adoptionandabortion.Acrisispreg-nancy can be the result of failed contraception, achange inrelationshipor lifecircumstances,rapeorincest.Amuchwantedpregnancycanbecomeacrisispregnancyasaresultofthediagnosisofaseriousorfatalfoetalabnormality.

We encourage clients to bring a partner, familymemberorfriendtothecounsellingsessioniftheysowish.Whiletheclientisthecentralpersonduringthesession,timeisalsogiventothepersonwhoaccompa-niesher,astheytoomaybeaffectedbythesituation.Theclientiswelcometoattendforasmanycounsel-lingsessionsassheneeds,asitisimportantthatshehasthespaceandtimetoexplorehowsheisfeelingandwhatheroptionsare.

TheProtectionofLifeDuringPregnancyAct,2013,setsoutthecircumstanceswhereanabortionmaybelaw-fullyprovidedinIreland.Thisentailsacomplexprocesswhereassessmentsaremadebyhealthcareprofession-als.TheActhasanarrowfocusanddoesnotpermitabortionincasessuchasrape,foetalabnormalityorwherethewoman’shealthwillbeadverselyimpacted.

Clientswhoattendforcrisispregnancycounsellingareoftenfearful,anddistressed.Mostwomenfacingacrisispregnancytalkabouttheirfeelingsofisolationandloneliness,astheyfacemakingadecision.Clientsexpressmanyconcernswhenfacedwithacrisispreg-nancy,suchasrelationship,financial, family,culturalandcopingconcerns.

Havingtotraveltoanothercountryisanotheraddedstress for Irishwomen andmany of them expressangeranddisappointmentthattheycannotavailofanabortionintheirowncountry.Wesawanincreaseduring2016inthenumberofwomenavailingofourcrisispregnancycounsellingservice.Wewelcomethisaswebelievethatthemoresupportandinformationwomenhave,thebetterchoicestheycanmake.

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OurcrisispregnancycounsellingservicecontinuestobefundedbytheH.S.E.CrisisPregnancyProgramme,withoutwhomwewouldnotbeabletogivewomenthevitalsupporttheyneed.In 2015 the HSE Crisis Pregnancy ProgrammelaunchedaSelf-AssessmentFramework forqualitymanagement andcontinuous improvement.During2016wecontinuedtoworkontheassessmentandtowardsmeetingitsrequirements.Thisshouldprovidereassurancetoclientsattendingourservice.

POST TERMINATION COUNSELLING:

Everyonewhohashadaterminationwillhavedifferentemotionsasaresult.Ourpostterminationcounsellingserviceisavailabletoanyone,femaleormale,whohasexperiencedabortionandmayneedtoexploretheirfeelingsandemotionsaroundtheexperience.Clientsvary inwhentheyattendforpostterminationcoun-selling,someattendingimmediatelyorothersseveralyearslater.Itisnevertoolatetoavailofcounsellingtodiscussyourexperience.

The current political debate and media coveragearoundrepealof the8thAmendmenthas impactedonclientsattendingforpostterminationcounselling.Wehaveseenan increase inwomenattending,withmanystatingthatthecurrentdebatehascausedthemtorevisittheirexperienceofhavinganabortion.Whilemanyofthesewomenfeeltheymadetherightdecisionatthetime,thediscussionsandmediacoveragecannonethelessbeupsetting.

In 2016, theDublinWellWomanCentrebecameamemberoftheCoalitiontoRepealthe8thAmendment.Attheendoftheyear,wemadeasubmissiontotheCitizen’sAssemblybasedonourexperience insup-portingwomenatthetimeofacrisispregnancy.

Whiletherecontinuestobestigmaattachedtoabor-tioninIreland,wefeeltheincreaseinwomenattend-ingourpostterminationcounselling isapositive,asitsuggeststhatthenumberofwomennotdiscussingtheirexperience is lessening.However, the issueofterminationremainsanemotiveoneand it is there-foreofutmostimportancethatwomenfeeltheyhaveaconfidentialandsupportivespaceinwhichtodiscusstheirfeelingsandexperience.

Ournewwebsite(launchedJuly2016)containsinfor-mationregardingourcrisispregnancyandposttermi-nationcounsellingservice,alongwithawiderangeofwomen’shealthissues.

DublinWellWomancontinuestoliaisewithotherpro-fessionalserviceproviders inordertomaintainbestpractice.Ourcounsellorsalsoengagewithongoingtrainingaspartoftheircontinuedprofessionaldevel-opmentand in linewiththeir IACPguidelines,allofwhichensuresbestpracticetoourservice.

Catherine ClementsHead of Counselling ServicesMay 2017

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ANNE CRAWFORD – A TRIBUTEOurgoodfriendandworkcolleague,Anne,passedawayonWednesdaythe12thOctober2016.Wewereallveryshockedandupset,asitwassounexpected.

Anne had been on holiday in August to Scotlandattendinghersister’sweddingandcamebacktoworkwithaslightskincomplaint–shewasthendiagnosedwithnon-Hodgkin’sLymphomaat thebeginningofSeptember,buthadbeenreassured itwas‘curableandeminentlytreatable’(herownwords).

However,due tocomplications,onceAnnestartedtreatmentshebecameverysick.

It’sstillhardtobelievethatAnneisnotwithusany-more.Wehaveconstantremindersi.e.remindernoteswithherhandwritingonthem,herbelovedradioandhersmellyperfume(clinicjoke).Itisalsoverydifficultwhenclientsringuptomakeanappointmentwithherandwehavetotellthemthesadnews.

Annewassodedicatedtoherwork,ifapatientcameinandwasvery fragile,Annewouldgoaboveandbeyondtohelpthem–oneofherclientsaskedforherhomeaddresstosendAnne’sfamilyacard–theclientandAnnehadsuchagoodrelationshipandthesadnewshitourpatientveryhard.

Annewasa loyal,goodhumoured,caringperson–nursingwasdefinitelyhervocation.

Annewasapleasuretoworkwith,thestaffandclientsofPembrokeRoadmissherimmensely.

Pembroke Road Team:Gillian DarlingNorah McPeakeLinda ScanlonYvonne DowlingLiz Boylan

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WINNING THE EIR SPIDER AWARD

Without question, a highlight of 2016 was winning the prestigious eir Spider award for Best Charity / Not for Profit Website.

WhenwestartedworkingtocreateanewwebsiteinSpring2016,wehadanambitiousobjective:tomod-ernisetheonlinepresenceoftheDublinWellWomanCentre in order to reach out to new demographicgroupsinneedoftheservicesWellWomanprovides.

AnextensiveDigitalStrategyhadbeenproducedfortheDublinWellWomanCentre,andfromthiscamethedevelopmentofawebsitethatwouldbeaccessibleandrepresentativeforallwomenin Ireland,provideinformationandsupport,andallowwomentomoreeasilyaccessthehealthcareservicestheyrequire.

Thepurposeofthesitewastoprovideauserfriendlyandwelcoming interface thatwomencouldquicklyidentifywiththroughtherepresentativeimagery.Thesitealsohadtoprovideimportantinformationonwom-en’shealththatwouldbeaccessibleacross literacy

levels.Akeyaspectwasthatthesitebemobilefriendlytoensuregreaterprivacyforwomenaccessingit,andthattherewouldbeagreatereaseofonlinebookingofservices.Furthermore,wewantedtopresentthetrans-parencyandexcellentgovernanceoftheorganisation.

TheDigitalStrategyhad includedvaluableresearchintotheneedsandbehavioursofthevariousdemo-graphicsthesitewastotarget.Ittoldus–

• There needed to be greater awareness of thebrandamongstwomenaged18-35years

• Thesiteneededtobe‘mobilefirst’ashealthcareinformationisprimarilyaccessedviamobile

• The content hierarchy had to be very clear sowomencanfindinformationquickly

• Womenwishedtobeabletobooktheservicesonline(someWellWomanpatientscanfeelreluc-tanttophoneforanappointmentiftheyworkinasharedoffice).

Aparticularaspectthatwashighlightedwastheneedto improveaccessand informationaroundcervicalsmeartestingandwhenwomenshouldbookasmeartest(asthisistimesensitivewithinawoman’scycle).

MsPantiBliss,MsAlisonBegas,MsJanRichards,MrSamWhelin-Curtin,MsLisaMcEneaney

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The project implementation strategy involved thedevelopmentofamodern,colourfulsitethatemployedagreatdealofimageryandvideotohelpwomeniden-tifywiththeservice.Thedesignismobilefirsttoensureaccessibility.ThereisatranslationfunctiontoensureaccessforuserswhodonothaveEnglishastheirfirstlanguage.

Key information is provided through video as anappealingmedium,butalsotoassistthosewith lowliteracylevels.Allvideosaresub-titledforthosewithhearingproblems,aswellasthosewhomaybeview-ingwithotherpeoplearound,andwhoneeddiscretion.

TheentirecontenthierarchyderivesfromatoplevelServices and Health Information approach, whichbranchesdownintuitively.Thebookingsystemcon-nectsdirectlywiththeReceptionDeskofthevariousclinics, and the Cervical Smear calculator assistswomeninbookingtherighttimefortheirsmeartest.

GoogleAnalytics confirms a 22% increases in thenumberofsitevisitors(comparedtothepreviousweb-site).Approximately1-in-10sitevisitorsusetheonlineBooking Form to request an appointment, therebymakingiteasierforbusywomentoaccessservices.

Oneofthewebsite’skey innovationsistheCervicalSmearcalculator.Cervicalsmeartestingisvitalinearlyidentificationofcellularchangeswhichmaygoontodevelopintocervicalcancer,enablingtheearliestpos-sibleinterventionandtreatment.Regularsmeartest-ingplaysahugeroleinsavingwomen’slives,andallwomenaged25-60areentitledtoregular,freesmearteststhroughCervicalCheck.

Wewantedtomakebookingasmeartestaseasyaspossible.WiththeCalculatorawomansimplyhastoindicatethedateofherlastperiodanditwilltellhertheoptimumdatesforhersmeartest.ShetheneasilybooksherappointmentviatheonlineBookingForm.

Additionally,aspartofa rangeofvideos thatweredevelopedforthesite,thereisoneonCervicalSmearTestingfeaturingaWellWomanClinicNurse,speakingaboutwhat’sinvolvedincomingtoWellWomanforasmeartest.ThevideoswentontoformthefoundationofWellWoman’sYouTubechannel,withadditionalvid-eosandGIFsbeingaddedsubsequently.

In addition to theWellWomanmanagement team,hugethanksareduetoSamWhelan-Curtin (ProjectManager),MartynaLebryk(WebDesigner/Developer),MylesShelly (Photographer/Videographer)andTimSmyrk(DigitalStrategyConsultant).

Beingshort-listedforthe long-establishedeirSpiderawardinthecategoryofBestCharity/Notforprofitwebsitewasagreatfillip.Goingontowintheawardwaswonderfulrecognitionofthequalityofourweb-site,andtheamountofworkthathadgone into itscreation.ThelevelofgoodwilltowardsWellWomanattheeventspokevolumesofhowourroleover40yearsinwomen’shealthisregarded.

Alison BegasChief ExecutiveMay 2017

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SEXUAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND GUIDANCE (SHAG) EVENTS

The Dublin Well Woman Centre works proudly to make sexual health services and information available to as many as possible.

Beinginvitedbyseveraluniversitiesand3rdlevelcol-legestohoststandsattheirSHAGdaysduring2016providedWellWomanwithavaluableopportunitytoengagewithstudentsaboutsexualhealthawareness.

Ourunique (andglow-in-the-dark) spermkey ringsare always a good ice-breaker; at the same timeWellWomanrepresentativesansweredstudentque-ries regarding long-acting reversible contraception(LARCs), sexual health screening, crisispregnancysupports,andtheotherservicesonofferinourcentres.

Well Woman welcomes students to reach out foradvice.Weencouragegoodsexualhealth,whichgoeshand inhandwith regularSTIscreensandcervicalsmears.WeofferstudentpricesforfullSTIscreensandgeneralconsultationsacrossallthreeofourclinics.

Samantha Henson Administrator May 2017

DublinWellWomanIntern,KristenGwaltney

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016MS JAN RICHARDS (CHAIRWOMAN)

Janisamotherofthreechildren,andiscurrentlyHeadof InsightsandPlanningatDublinAirportwheresheisresponsibleformanagingthesignificantresearchprogramme, brand strategy, and communicationsplanning. Insights from research and trends datadriveforDublinAirport’scommercial,operationalandstrategicplans.

JanwasthepioneeroftheDAAvaluesprogramme,andisproudofherkeyroleindevelopingandlaunch-inganorganisationalvaluesprogrammein2014that,afterthefirst9months,hadanawarenesslevelof73%ofthe3,000+strongworkforce,andcurrentlyhasover100ValuesAmbassadorsthroughoutthebusiness.

Previously, Jan was a Senior Planner with MCCPPlanning and Insights,where sheworkedwith cli-entcompanies inbranddevelopmentandposition-ing,qualitativeresearchand insightgeneration.JanworkedinadvertisinginLondon,BudapestandDublinfor16years;shewasPlanningDirectorofOwensDDBinDublinfor2years,andalso lectured inMarketingandCommunicationsatFitzwilliamCollege,andasa guest lecturer with D.I.T. She also facilitates ontheadoptiveparentingcoursesrunbytheH.S.E.forprospectiveadopters.

PAT EDMONDSON

PatEdmondsonisAssociateDirectoratDublinCityUniversityTrust.Herfocusisonthedevelopment,cul-tivationandstewardingofaportfolioofbothindividualandcorporaterelationships.PatisalsoanAssociateDirectorofMcCarthyIreland.PriortoDCU,PatheadedupcorporatefundraisinginYoungSocialInnovators.

She has over 20 years’ experience in sales andbusinessdevelopmentacrossanumberof sectorsincludingmedicaldevices,biomed,engineering,renewableenergyandhospitalitysectors.PatholdsanHonoursBAinMolecularGeneticsandanMScinManufacturingEngineering,bothfromTrinityCollegeDublin. She also has qualifications in BusinessManagementandBusinessInnovationfrombothTCDandDCU.

EIMEAR FARRELL (JOINED BOARD FEBRUARY 2016)

EimearisaqualifiedManagementAccountantandisamemberoftheCharteredInstituteofManagementAccountants,withover20yearsofexperiencewithinthefinancialservicessector.EimearwasappointedbytheFinancialServicesDivisioninTrinityCollegeasManagementandFinancialAccountingManager in2014.PriortojoiningTrinity,Eimearheldanumberofpositionswhichhaveencompassedthetreasury,fundaccountingandfinancialleasingindustries.

PAMELA IYER

Pamelaisasolicitor,admittedinEnglandandIrelandand hasbeenpractising as a solicitor since 1998.Duringthistime,shehasworkedinDublin,LondonandtheFarEastintheareaofcorporate&commer-ciallaw,inparticulartheareasofprojectfinance,pub-lic-privatepartnerships,constructionandengineering.Shehasalwaysworkedinprivatepractice includingAllen&OveryinLondonandArthurCoxinDublinandin-house,morerecentlywithPMGroup.

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MARTHA KAVANAGH (RESIGNED FROM BOARD NOVEMBER 2016)

MarthaisheadofmediarelationsforaglobalnutritioncompanyheadquarteredinIreland.Inthisrole,sheisresponsibleforcorporateandfinancialcommunica-tions,reputationmanagementandthegroup’sinternalandexternaldigitalplatforms.Previously,shewasaboarddirectorandspenttenyearswithaleadingIrishcommunicationsconsultancywhereshe ledacom-mercial teamandworkedacross sectors includingfood,health,retailandleisure.

MarthaalsoworkedoverseasinamarketingrolewithanIrishsemi-stateforanumberofyears.AgraduateofDCU,sheholdsaBAAppliedLanguages,aMAinInternationalRelationsaswellasadiplomainDigitalMarketing.

AMELIA SOROHAN

Ameliaisasolicitor,qualifiedinAustraliaandIreland,whotrainedwithArthurCoxsolicitorsinDublin.DuringhertimeinprivatepracticeAmeliaadvisedclientsoncommercialandcontractlawmattersincludingtender-ing,confidentialityagreements,termination,insolvencyandpaymentdisputes,intellectualproperty,insurance,limitationsonliability,employmentlaw,dataprotectionandregulatorymatters.

Since leaving private practice, Amelia hasworkedasin-houselegalcounselinthepublicsectorfortheCentralBankof Ireland and currentlyworks in theprivate sector for an international Irish engineeringandprojectmanagementcompany,PMGroup.Herexperiencealsoincludesactingasadirectorofanot-for-profit community childcare centre in Jobstown,Dublin.Sheholdsdegreesinlaw,businessandwom-ensstudies.

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2016 2015

€ €

Income 2,004,957 1,975,797

Gross Profit 1,864,734 1,820,072

Expenses

StaffCosts (1,340,651) (1,323,390)

GeneralOverheads (317,071) (325,918)

Depreciation (75,583) (66,405)

131,429 104,359

Operating Surplus

InterestPayableAndSimilarCharges (8,426) (8,785)

Profit On Ordinary Activities Before Tax 123,003 95,754

Tax On Profit On Ordinary Activities

Profit On Ordinary Activities After Tax 123,003 95,574

Retained Profit Brought Forward 254,901 159,327

Retained Profit Carried Forward 377,904 254,901

DUBLIN WELL WOMAN CENTRE CLG (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEFOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2016

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

MSEIMEARFARRELLDirector

MSJANRICHARDSDirector

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2016 2015

€ €

FIXED ASSETS

Tangibleassets 201,565 156,120

CURRENT ASSETS

Stocks 30,448 23,469

Debtors 46,212 45,708

Cashatbankandinhand 340,504 227,259

417,164 296,436

Creditors (Amounts Falling Due Within One Year) (204,498) (150,966)

Net Current Assets 212,666 145,470

Total Assets Less Current Liabilities 414,231 301,590

Financed By:

Creditors (Amounts Falling Due After More Than One Year) 36,327 46,689

36,327 46,689

Reserves 377,904 254,901

Profitandlossaccount 377,904 254,901

414,231 301,590

DUBLIN WELL WOMAN CENTRE CLG (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITIONAS AT 31 DECEMBER 2016

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

MSEIMEARFARRELLDirector

MSJANRICHARDSDirector

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THE WELL WOMAN TEAM 2016Chief Executive:AlisonBegas

Medical Director:DrShirleyMcQuade

Administrator:SamanthaHenson

Accounts Manager:SiobhanWright

Bookkeeper:RachelCarey

Operations Manager:JosephineHealion

Doctors:DrFadzilahAbAzizDrClaireCallaghanDrGillianDarlingDrSandraHubertDrVinaKessopersadhDrLisaO’Neill

Head of Counselling:CatherineClements

Counsellors:AnneFeeneyMichelePippetPaulaTierney

Nurses:GayGreeneTanyaKearnsNicolaMcGarveyNorahMcPeakeSophiaNevesAlmaOlohanShirleyO’Malley

Receptionists:ConnieClearyYvonneDowlingOliveFanningPatriciaLaniganSiobhanLahertyDorettaMcNallyFionnualaO’FlahertyAndreaO’NeillLindaScanlon

THE DUBLIN WELL WOMAN CENTRE

HEAD OFFICE: 25, CAPEL STREET, DUBLIN 1

TEL: (01) 874 9243 | EMAIL: INFO@WELLWOMANCENTRE.IE | WEB: WWW.WELLWOMANCENTRE.IE

ALL CONTENT COPYRIGHT © 2016 WELL WOMAN CENTRE