Sexual Health West is a voluntary organisation and charity, primarily funded by HSE West and charitable donations. We are based in Galway City, Ireland and provide services and support throughout the counties of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon and adjacent areas. We offer the highest quality care and support to those affected by HIV/AIDS/STIs and to those worried about their sexual health.
Sexual Health West (formerly AIDS West, founded in 1987) has expanded from a small group of dedicated volunteers who gathered together to assist HIV positive people in their final days, to a team of professional, committed people who strive to offer care and support to HIV positive people, their families and carers. All our services are completely confidential.
We also offer information and education on all aspects of sexual health, and we provide high quality evidence informed youth and community education through our WISER team, www.bewiser.ie.
Governance & Compliance
Integrity is a core value for Sexual Health West, in terms of being accountable for what we do and transparent in how we do it, with strong governance central to the delivery of services. Sexual Health West is a company limited by guarantee. The original Memorandum and Articles of Association have been updated by our Board of Management and as such the Board are committed to attaining the highest standards of corporate governance. Accordingly, transparency and accountability are constant priorities of the Board and our staff.
As such the Board are committed to attaining the highest standards of corporate governance. Accordingly, transparency and accountability are constant priorities of the Board and our staff.
Disclaimer
Sexual Health West would appreciate if you would contact us prior to linking to our pages. Under no circumstances should our pages be loaded into frames on your website.
Linking To Our Pages
The entire content of this website is Sexual Health West copyright unless specifically noted. Information can be downloaded for private research, study or in-house use only.
Copyright
All links to external websites from Sexual Health West website are provided for information and ease of use only. Sexual Health West cannot accept responsibility for the content contained on the websites linked to, and any links do not represent an endorsement by Sexual Health West. There is no guarantee that the pages linked to from our website will be working all of the time and we have no control over their availability.
External Links
Although Sexual Health West makes every effort to ensure that the information provided on this website is both accurate and up-to-date, we do not guarantee its completeness or correctness at any given time. The information provided on this website does not in any way constitute medical, business or any other professional advice, and is subject to change without notice. Sexual Health West does not accept responsibility for any loss, damage or expense resulting from the use of information provided on this website.
Data Protection Requests
When a Data Protection Request is made to the organisation we will respond within 30 days.
Financial Statements And Annual Reports
Our accounts are audited by CAG Chartered Accountants and presented according to SORP (the Statement of Recommended Practice) for Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
To view copies of our annual accounts as prepared under SORP and considered best practice for the sector, please contact the administrator on info@aidswest.ie.
To access copies of our annual reports please visit our annual reports section on the website.
Governance Code
We fully comply with the Governance Code for community, voluntary and charitable organisations in Ireland. We confirm that a review of our organisation’s compliance with the principles in the Code has been completed based on an assessment of our organisational practice in line with the recommended actions for each principle.
- Principle 1 Leading our organisation
- Principle 2: Exercising control over our organisation
- Principle 3: Being transparent and accountable
- Principle 4: Working effectively
- Principle 5: Behaving with integrity
We confirm that our organisation is committed to the standards outlined in these principles.
We commit to reviewing our organisational practice in line with the recommended actions for each principle each year following our initial review.
In 2018, the Charities Regulator announced a new Governance code for Charities which would facilitate the better administration, management and governance of charitable organisations.
Principles of Charities Governance Code are:
- Advancing Charitable Purpose
- Behaving with Integrity
- Leading People
- Exercising control
- Working effectively
- Being Accountable
2019 was a year of learning and preparation for charities.
2020 is the first year that registered charities are expected to comply with the new code.
In 2020, Sexual Health West completed the Compliance process for the code
The Board of Sexual Health West signed off on this process on 2nd March 2020.
CRO signed version – Sexual Health West CLG Constitution(7-11-16)
Sexual Health West Board Signatures – Governance Code Principles
Sexual Health West Statement On Governance
I am writing to you amid the current controversy over governance issues at a number of Irish charities. There is a danger that all charities, including Sexual Health West, could be hurt by the fall-out. Sexual Health West greatly values the trust that you – our members, volunteers, supporters and the general public – place in us. We are always conscious of our responsibility, our duty, to repay that trust. We are committed to running Sexual Health West in a manner that is transparent, that is ethical and that does not simply meet standards of good governance but surpasses them.
Our annual reports are published following approval by members at our AGM and are available at: Sexual Health West Annual Reports
Our annual accounts are externally audited by OMB Accountants before being presented to our members for approval. These accounts show where our funding came from, how we spent it, and the impact of our work. Our internal accounts are regularly reviewed by the Finance Committee of our Board at our monthly Board Meetings. The annual accounts are also available at Sexual Health West Audited Accounts
The Board members of Sexual Health West are all volunteers and receive no payment for being directors. Our staff and volunteers are Garda vetted. There is no bonus scheme, there are no company cars and there are no special pension arrangements for Board members or any member of the staff team of Sexual Health West.
The controversy surrounding other charities is deeply frustrating. However, we need to take the opportunity to highlight the checks and controls which exist within Sexual Health West and to reassure you of our commitment to run a well-managed, transparent, charity.
Once again, we cherish the trust which you place in us. Without your trust, without your continued support, we could not continue with our work to help people living with HIV in the West of Ireland.
If you have any queries or concerns about the work of Sexual Health West please do not hesitate to contact me by emailing joemcd@sexualhealthwest.ie or by letter.
Thank you for your continuing trust and support.
Yours sincerely,
Joe McDonagh
Chief Executive, Sexual Health West
