Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Byrne for raising this issue. It gives me the opportunity to address the plans for the provision of primary care services in Ashbourne, County Meath, and the wider context.

The development of primary care teams and primary care centres is a priority under the programme for Government and an extremely important element in the health reform process. The provision of primary care centres and teams throughout the country will significantly increase health and social care in local communities, and will be achieved by redirecting services away from acute hospitals.

Primary care infrastructure is being delivered using three mechanisms, as the House will be aware, namely, direct build, the leasing initiative and the public private partnership initiative announced in July 2012. The development of primary care centres, through a combination of public and private investment, will facilitate the delivery of multi-disciplinary primary care and represents a tangible re-focusing of the health service to deliver care in the most appropriate and lowest cost setting. The modernisation of our primary care accommodation and practice is vital to the successful delivery of services in the future. In this regard, 27 primary care centres have opened since May 2011.

The primary care infrastructure model offers a good opportunity for private sector finance. The HSE sought submissions from individuals and companies who were interested in developing health facilities which would accommodate the delivery of primary care services in conjunction with local GPs. Ashbourne primary care centre is being delivered using the operational lease mechanism. The 19,000 sq. ft. centre is located at Declan Street, Ashbourne.

Some three GPs and their practice staff have already commenced services in Ashbourne primary care centre. The commissioning of the telephone system has been completed this week and the transfer of the administrative function will commence next week. Following that, a range of clinical services will transfer into the building over the course of a number of weeks. The full commissioning of the building requires the transfer of some equipment from existing facilitates and the delivery of new equipment, which is ongoing.

When fully opened, Ashbourne primary care centre will accommodate the following services: Ashbourne family practice; public health nursing; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; speech and language therapy; primary care social work; psychology; and a range of outreach consulting services. South Meath community mental health team and mental health day service will also operate from the building.

Staff working in the Ashbourne primary care centre will relocate from a number of other health care facilities, such as the existing health centre in Ashbourne and the health care facility in Dunshaughlin, County Meath. It will be necessary for a number of staff to work across the locations. No specific recruitment campaign will be required.

The development of Ashbourne primary care centre represents a step forward as regards the modernisation and updating of working practices, facilities and equipment and supporting ICT systems. The sharing of accommodation between GPs and HSE staff members in one centre facilitates a team-based approach to service provision, building capacity in primary care and contributing to sustainable health and social development in Ashbourne and its environs.