Elderly people living in parts of West Limerick are to be given easier access to healthcare services in their areas, according to the Health Service Executive who have rolled out a new concept in healthcare.

HELPING HAND: HSE claims care services for elderly in West LImerick will be enhanced.

The first-ever Abbeyfeale HSE Primary Care Team was unveiled last week bringing the total number of such initiatives around the country to 97 teams.

It means people living in West Limerick will have “easier access to services that lead to improved health and wellbeing”, according to the HSE.

“Some particular issues for us in this part of West Limerick are the high numbers of elderly people, 13% of the entire population with 33% of those aged over 65 living alone. One of the principle aims of the team is to support the older population in health and in ill health to live fulfilled lives within their own community,” said Dr Michael O’Donnell, Chairman of the Primary Care Team.

Primary care teams, are according to the HSE, “a key part of the health service strategy and are designed to be the first point of contact that people have will have with the health and personal social services.”

Primary Care Development Officer Paula Cussen Murphy said the service would be the first and ongoing point of contact for people with the health-care system.

The members of the Abbeyfeale Primary Care team are based in a number of locations at present, including the local health centre and at various GP practices. However, last December, the HSE advertised nationally seeking submissions from individuals/companies who were interested in developing or were planning to develop health facilities at a number of locations around the country..

“These facilities would facilitate the delivery of a primary health care in conjunction with local General Practitioners. Abbeyfeale was one of the locations that was named in the advertisement and is currently being progressed,” said a HSE statement.

The current team delivers GP Practice services, community nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy services, community welfare, and extended services such as dietetics, dental, and school health service.

In addition, to the existing services already operating within the Abbeyfeale Primary Care Team area, a further €170,000 has been invested in equipment, premises and resources to date.

The additional running costs of the Abbeyfeale Primary Care Team are expected to amount to €150,000 per year, according to the HSE in Limerick.

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