Garda Occupational Health Service
Occupational Health Service - http://agsportal/Pages/OccupationalHealthHomepage.aspx
The role of the Garda Occupational Health Service is to provide advice on all work related issues with regard to health and wellbeing.
Responsibilities include:
· Health Surveillance (Safety Critical Duties)
· Provide support to HRPD and local management for sickness absence management
· Health Promotion
· Occupational Blood and Body Fluid Exposures (OBBFE’s)
· Vaccination Programmes
Employee Support Programme (ESP) - An Garda Síochána and Inspire Wellbeing Partnership - The right support at the right time
In line with the An Garda Síochána Health & Wellbeing Strategy (2021 to 2025) and its commitment to provide supports to all Garda personnel, particularly in the complex area of modern policing, we have secured the expertise of Inspire Wellbeing to deliver an independent, confidential counselling service. You can self-refer to the ESP at any time. You do not need permission or approval.
Counselling helps you find strategies to manage the issues that are impacting on your mental health and wellbeing.
Inspire Wellbeing provide a 24/7, 365 Telephone Helpline and Counselling Service.
The An Garda Siochana ESP is a free, independent and confidential counselling service, here to help you.
Call 1800 817 433 to speak to someone who can help.
All Garda personnel can avail of up to 6 counselling sessions. Sessions can be delivered via Telephone or video link, as well as face to face.
There is always a counsellor on standby for crisis situations.
Support and counselling is available for issues that may be affecting peoples work and/or personal life, such issues may include but are not limited to:
• Addiction
• Mental Health - Stress, Anxiety, Depression
• Bereavement
• Financial Difficulties
• Trauma
• Illness
• Personal or work related issues
• Stress at work or at home
• Families/Relationship difficulties
• Harassment/Sexual harassment
Trauma counselling
Trauma counselling is also available and can be provided to Garda personnel who may be affected by traumatic incidents, scenes or events in the workplace.
This process is provided by Inspire Wellbeing and is a self-referral with the availability of 6 free sessions of trauma counselling, and an additional 6 sessions (if clinically approved).
Trauma incidents are challenging events that have the potential to create significant distress and may include but not limited to:
• Death/serious injury.
• Assault.
• Personal threat.
• Robbery/fire/accident in the workplace.
• Fraud.
What to expect when you call Inspire Wellbeing.
The service is free and you can call anytime 24/7, 365 days a year at 1800 817 433.
On contacting the 24/7 helpline you will be treated with respect, courtesy and professional dignity.
You will speak to an accredited call taker who can provide advice and support in relation to your presenting issues.
Where appropriate a referral will be made for up to 6 face–to-face counselling sessions.
You will be assigned a suitable counsellor located within one (1) hour from your place of work or home.
To facilitate your referral you will be asked for a few personal details such as your name, address and Division/Section.
Psychological Support Programme (PSP) - An Garda Síochána is committed to supporting, protecting and promoting the health and wellbeing, welfare and safety of all Garda personnel. The Garda Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Implementation Plan launched in May 2021, is a reflection of that commitment. The Psychological Support Programme (PSP) includes both mandatory and voluntary support structures. PSP provides general psychological and wellbeing support aimed at avoiding and mitigating the risk of indirect trauma/stress through nature of work exposures. Focus is on prevention rather than intervention. In October 2020, An Garda Síochána issued HQ Directive launching a Psychological Support Programme (PSP), for Garda personnel working in certain areas risked assessed as involving regular exposure to severe psychologically hazardous material. In 2023 following a full review, the programme was expanded to include specialist units and sections not covered in the first roll out.
Health and Wellbeing Survey 2024 –
In July 2019, An Garda Síochána (AGS) commissioned a comprehensive Health &Wellbeing Survey encompassing all Garda personnel and the outputs of that survey contributed to the development of our Health & Wellbeing Strategy Statement and Action Plan for 2021-2025.
As health and wellbeing needs evolve for An Garda Síochána personnel, we are pleased to announce the launch of a revised Health & Wellbeing Survey. We have worked with an independent consultancy, Sia Partners to design, launch, monitor and report on the result which will ensure an independent objective assessment. The results will be key inputs into our Health & Wellbeing Strategy for 2025-2030. Your feedback and engagement is essential in shaping the future of the health and wellbeing initiatives in AGS, now and for the future.
