Dr. Gráinne Healy:

The involvement of the community team in the voluntary sector is very significant for the delivery of Sláintecare right across the board. We have seen real evidence of this with the 122 integration fund projects that have been in the process of being rolled out for over a year.

That involves local community groups such as those mentioned by the Senator. Croí was a good example. We have also been working with local mental health services and vulnerable groups that have their own representation, such as LGBT Ireland which works with LGBT people and the needs they have. Such organisations may offer care for older people or those with particular vulnerabilities. Having partnerships between medical professionals and voluntary groups is very important. It is particularly important to move towards the delivery of care as close to home as possible and in the community in order to reduce the footfall into acute settings. We have found that many people prefer to be cared for at home or with their local community supporting them. It is an important delivery. Many of the 102 projects involve really interesting new pathways for care that are delivering the right care in the right place for those people.