Training programme
The Making Every Contact Count Training Programme is a standardised training. It is designed to educate healthcare professionals in the brief intervention skills required to support patients/service users in lifestyle behaviour change.
Training includes an online course and a workshop, and it's available to all healthcare professionals in Ireland. As a healthcare professional, it shows you how to support patients to make healthier lifestyle choices during their usual appointments.
MECC online course
This online course includes 8 modules and will take approximately 4 hours to complete.
Module 1 - Introduction to behaviour change
This module will give you a basic understanding of behaviour change theory. It includes techniques such as the underlying principles of a patient-centred approach.
Modules 2 to 7
These modules cover 7 different topics.
These include:
- tobacco
- alcohol and drugs
- healthy eating
- physical activity
- overweight and obesity
- mental health and wellbeing
Module 8 - Skills into practice module
This module will show you how to carry out a brief intervention across the different topics listed in modules 2 to 6. Module 8 includes different video scenarios using real healthcare professionals.
Additional information can be accessed in the ‘extend my learning’ section on HSeLanD.
MECC Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills (EYS) Workshop
After you finish the MECC eLearning Course Core Modules there will be an opportunity to complete the Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills (EYS) Workshop.
The MECC Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills (EYS) Workshop is a practical follow on to the MECC eLearning course. It focuses on practising the key skills required to conduct a brief intervention. Participants must have received their certificate of completion for the MECC eLearning course.
MECC Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills (EYS) Workshops are available in different locations throughout Ireland. For more information, you can contact your local MECC lead.
Upcoming Workshops
IHA: Cavan and Monaghan
Cavan
Date: Tuesday, 10th March 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Education Room, Cavan Primary Care Childrens Services, 95 Main Street, Cavan H12 P6F3
Date: Friday, 1st May 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Education Room, Cavan Primary Care Childrens Services, 95 Main Street, Cavan H12 P6F3
Monaghan
Date: Tuesday, 24th March 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Centre for Nursing & Midwifery Education Training Room, St. Davnets Complex, Monaghan Co. Monaghan H18 T932
Date: Tuesday, 28th April 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Centre for Nursing & Midwifery Education Training Room, St. Davnets Complex, Monaghan Co. Monaghan H18 T932
IHA: Donegal
Date: Friday, 27th February 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Safetech, Unit 1a, Riverside Retail Park, Neil T Blaney Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 H01R
Date: Wednesday, 29th April 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Safetech, Unit 1a, Riverside Retail Park, Neil T Blaney Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 H01R
IHA: Leitrim and Sligo
Sligo
Date: Wednesday, 11th March 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Centre of Nursing and Midwifery Education 2nd floor, Block 8, The Grove, Clarion Road, Sligo F91 A2FP
IHA: Galway & Roscommon
Galway
Date: Thursday, 5th February 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Wayfair, Wayfair House, Tuam Road, Galway H91W260
Date: Thursday, 19th March 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Education Room 1, Merlin Park Hospital Campus, Galway, H91 N973
Date: Wednesday, 10th June 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Education Room 1, Merlin Park Hospital Campus, Galway, H91 N973
Date: Tuesday, 15th September 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Education Room 1, Merlin Park Hospital Campus, Galway, H91 N973
Date: Wednesday, 4th November 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Education Room 1, Merlin Park Hospital Campus, Galway, H91 N973
Roscommon
Date: Tuesday, 27th January 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Roscommon Primary Care Centre, Roscommon, F42 HY97
Date: Thursday, 21st May 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Roscommon Hospital, Roscommon, F42 AX61
Date: Thursday, 17th September 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Roscommon Hospital, Roscommon, F42 AX61
Date: Thursday, 3rd December 2026
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Location: Roscommon Hospital, Roscommon, F42 AX61
IHA: Mayo
Date: Thursday, 19th February 2026
Time: 10:00am-1:30pm
Location: Mayo Education Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo F23 X853
Date: Thursday, 2nd April 2026
Time: 10:00am-1:30pm
Location: Mayo Education Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo F23 X853
Date: Thursday, 11th June 2026
Time: 10:00am-1:30pm
Location: Mayo Education Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo F23 X853
Date: Tuesday, 22nd September 2026
Time: 10:00am-1:30pm
Location: Mayo Education Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo F23 X853
Date: Thursday, 19th November 2026
Time: 10:00am-1:30pm
Location: Mayo Education Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo F23 X853
IHA: Clare and Limerick County and IHA: Limerick City and Tipperary North
Workshops to be confirmed.
IHA: Cork North and East
Workshops to be confirmed.
IHA: Cork South and West
Workshops to be confirmed.
IHA: Kerry
Workshops to be confirmed.
IHA: Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary South
Workshops to be confirmed.
IHA: Waterford and Wexford
Workshops to be confirmed.
IHA: Dublin South and Wicklow
Workshops to be confirmed.
IHA: Dublin South City and West
Workshops to be confirmed.
IHA: Dublin South West
Workshops to be confirmed.
IHA: Louth and Meath
Louth
Date: Wednesday, 24 December 2025
Time: 10am to 1.30pm
Location: Room 5, Boyne Primary Care Centre, Drogheda, Co. Louth
IHA: Midlands
Workshops to be confirmed.
IHA: Dublin North City and West
Workshops to be confirmed.
IHA: Dublin North County
Workshops to be confirmed.
MECC Leads
As part of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities programme, there are 10 MECC Leads nationwide to support the implementation of MECC.
IHA: Cavan and Monaghan, IHA: Donegal and IHA: Leitrim and Sligo
Contact: Lynda McGuinness, Senior Health Promotion Officer and Improvement Officer
Phone: 087 405 7829
Email: lynda.mcguinness@hse.ie
IHA: Galway and Roscommon and IHA: Mayo
Contact: Angela Killion, Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officer
Phone: 087 444 3401
Email: angela.killion@hse.ie
IHA: Clare and Limerick County and IHA: Limerick City and Tipperary North
Contact: Rachel Mescall, Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officer
Phone: 087 109 8717
Email: rachel.mescall@hse.ie
IHA: Cork North and East, IHA: Cork South and West and IHA: Kerry
Contact: Máire O’Leary, Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officer
Phone: 087 123 4025
Email: mairem.oleary@hse.ie
IHA: Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary South and IHA: Waterford and Wexford
Contact: Aileen Scott, Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officer
Phone: 087 955 5026
Email: aileen.scott@hse.ie
IHA: Dublin South City and West and IHA: Dublin South West
Contact: Rose-Marie Plant, Senior Health Promotion & Improvement Officer
Phone: 086 823 2977
Email: rosemarie.plant@hse.ie
IHA: Dublin South and Wicklow
Contact: Michelle Hardie-Murphy, Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officer
Phone: 087 123 2021
Email: michelle.hardiemurphy@hse.ie
IHA: Louth and Meath and IHA: Midlands
Contact: Duana McArdle, Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officer
Phone: 087 376 1552
Email: duana.mcardle@hse.ie
IHA: Dublin North City and West
Contact: Cliodhna Kirwan, Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officer
Phone: TBC
Email: cliodhna.kirwan@hse.ie
IHA: Dublin North County
Contact: Paul Kirwan, Senior Health Promotion & Improvement Officer
Phone: 087 257 1618
Email: paul.kirwan2@hse.ie
Maternity training information
There is a specific workshop designed for MECC in maternity settings and designed for midwives, nurses, obstetric colleagues and all other healthcare professionals who have contact with women on their pregnancy journey.
Continuing professional development (CPD)
You will receive a certificate after completing the MECC eLearning Course Core Modules and the Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills Workshop. This can be used as evidence to pursue CPD points.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland gives post-registration category 1 approval.
These include:
- MECC eLearning Course Core Modules - 4 CEUs
- MECC Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills Workshop - 3 CEUs
- MECC Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills Virtual Workshop - 2 CEUs
- MECC Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills Maternity Workshop - 4 CEUs
CORU
CPD credits are awarded on the basis that one hour of learning is equal to one CPD credit. You can allocate any fraction of an hour to a learning activity.
For example:
- MECC eLearning Course Core Modules - 4 CEUs
- MECC Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills Workshop - 3 CEUs
- MECC Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills Virtual Workshop - 2 CEUs
- MECC Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills Maternity Workshop - 4 CEUs
The training programme can also count as suitable CPD activity for many health and social care workers registered with CORU, as part of their ongoing professional development.
Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)
The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) awards the following:
- MECC eLearning Course Core Modules - 4 CEUs
- MECC Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills Workshop - 3.5 CEUs
- MECC Enhancing Your Brief Intervention Skills Maternity Workshop - 4 CEUs
Irish Dental Council
After completing the MECC course you will be awarded 10 verifiable CPD points.