Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The key objective of the primary care strategy is to give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, home helps and others. It is clear that the membership of primary care teams and networks are drawn from existing professional and other staff working in primary, continuing and community care services, and that there would also be a major enhancement of the level and nature of services available in those settings.

There have been substantial enhancements in the services provided in primary and community care settings with corresponding increases in the numbers of staff concerned. At this stage, the main focus needs to be on the reorganisation of existing services and staff into primary care teams and networks. This requires changes in work practices and reporting relationships, with an emphasis on joint working by various health professionals. It also requires significant work in mapping and profiling of areas. Work under many of these headings is well advanced and I am pleased with the level of interest in, and engagement with, primary care teams among general practitioners. I understand that 500 general practitioners are involved in the development of teams, with a further 700 projected to become involved.

Specific additional funding was provided the years from 2006 to 2008 to facilitate the roll-out of extra primary care teams. Some of this funding was used to appoint extra front line professional staff. I emphasised to the HSE the importance I attach to the continued development and roll-out of primary care teams.

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