John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly. I welcome the opportunity to address the plans for the provision of primary care services in Portumna, County Galway, and in the wider context. Portumna health centre is the main centre for the Portumna primary care team, which is situated in south-east Galway. The team provides services to a population of 6,513 people. There are several outlying smaller health centres in the area, including Woodford, Gurteen, Derrybrien and Tynagh. Woodford health centre provides a full-time service, with the other locations providing storage facilities to support clinical services.

The health centre in Portumna is located on the outskirts of the town, close to the former workhouse and farm land. The original building was built approximately 50 years ago and has telephone and fax facilities. It has been closed since the end of 2012 following the discovery of rodent activity outside the centre. The risk of such infestations are increased because of the location of the centre. Owing to concerns raised, an extermination company was contracted and all areas treated. The company has since confirmed in regular checks that the centre is now free from rodents.

Health Service Executive local management is in discussions with staff regarding the delivery of services from the health centre. As the risk of rodent activity in the surrounding area continues, the HSE has examined all State assets locally to see whether a more suitable premises is available for utilisation us a health centre. Unfortunately, no suitable location has been identified.

The following services continue to be delivered to people within the Portumna area: public health nursing; physiotherapy, occupational therapy; speech and language therapy; social work; home help; and cardiac specialist services. For the present, these services are provided from various suitable locations, with the public health nursing service being provided on a similar basis. Local GPs operate from their own premises in the town.

The long-term accommodation needs for this area have been identified. This area was advertised under the national primary care infrastructure programme, a suitable project was identified and a letter of intent was issued in 2009. This is being reviewed at present, with a view to providing a modern purpose built health centre for the area. The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective to deliver a high quality, integrated and cost effective health care system. The HSE recognises that the Government's health reform programme places a new emphasis on developing the role of primary care within a universal health care system and as a consequence, progress in delivering the necessary infrastructure is a priority.

The development of primary care centres, through a combination of public and private investment will facilitate the delivery of multidisciplinary primary care and represent a tangible refocusing of the health service to deliver care in the most appropriate and lowest cost setting. The primary care infrastructure model offers a good fit for private sector delivery. The HSE is progressing the delivery of primary care infrastructure using three mechanisms, namely, HSE direct-build, operational leases, and public private partnerships. Regardless of the method of delivery, locations cannot be progressed unless there is committed GP engagement. Between May 2011 and May 2013, some 27 primary care centres opened. This ongoing development of primary care centres continues to be an extremely important element of the Government's health reform process.