Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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57. To ask the Minister for Health the range of facilities and services for the new primary healthcare centre in Summerhill, Dublin 1; and when he envisages completion of construction. [27844/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Primary care centres enable the provision of a broader and more integrated set of primary care services. In the first instance they bring together HSE staff who in many cases have previously been operating from older, more dispersed locations. They are intended to facilitate more integrated working by primary and social care staff in the HSE and general practitioners as members of primary care teams and networks, particularly in relation to the care of people with more complex needs. These centres provide scope, over time, for more comprehensive services to be provided in the community, such as structured care of people with chronic illness, an enhanced range of diagnostic services and potentially a range of specialist services on an outreach basis.

To date, 100 Primary Care Centres are already operational which has significantly enhanced the accessibility of health services in local communities. An additional 27 Primary Care Centres are expected to be operational in 2017 and 2018. There are a further 10 locations where primary care infrastructure is under construction or at advanced planning and51 locations which are at preliminary stages of development.

With regard to the new Summerhill Primary Care Centre, construction is due to be completed in Quarter 2 of 2018 and services are expected to commence in Quarter 3 the same year. The Centre will be the base for the Summerhill Primary Care Team and the Inns Quay Primary Care Team. In addition, it will be the base for all Network Primary Care services covering the North Inner City.

The following services will be located in the new Summerhill Facility:-

- General Practice Services

- Public Health Nursing/Community Nursing Services

- Occupational Therapy Services, Physiotherapy Services, Speech & Language Services

- Psychology Services

- Dietetic Services

- Social Work Services

- Home Help Services

- Mental Health Day Hospital Services

- Early Intervention and School Age Services for children with disabilities

- Meeting and administration accommodation

- Ambulance Services (located on the site in a separate building).