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Public brief on a new approach to primary care for Newcastle West E-mail
Written by Rachael Finucane   
Wednesday, 15 April 2009

THE HSE has launched a new Primary Care Team in Newcastle West and held a large meeting last week to brief public representatives, community groups and the public on the team.
The initiative involves several GP practices and a range of HSE professionals, including a physiotherapist, an Occupational Therapist, a Public Health Nurse and Community Nurses, a Speech and Language Therapist, Community Welfare Officers, a Home Help Organiser and representatives from St Ita’s Hospital.
The team initially came together in July 2008 and structural facilities were put in place alongside the existing health centre.
The Primary care team will enable patients to access services more readily and enhance the capacity for primary care in the areas of disease prevention, rehabilitation and personal social services to complement the existing diagnosis and treatment focus.
Paula Cussen Murphy, Primary Care Development Officer in Limerick said “that primary care needs to continue to be developed as the central focus of the health system so that people regardless of who they are, where they live, or what health and social problems they may have can have access to integrated primary care service that can lead to better outcomes, better health status and better cost-effectiveness”.
“Our acute hospitals should not be the first point of contact that people have with the health and personal social services except when required for complex and special needs which cannot be met solely within primary care,” she added.
The team will provide services for the local population of 10,537 population that it covers and a number of extra initiatives are currently on offer including antenatal classes, a leg ulcer assessment clinic, a bathing assessment clinic and a foot clinic.
“This team represents a wonderful opportunity for the people of Newcastlewest to have access to a greater range of services within their own community to live happier and healthier lives,” said Ms Cussen Murphy.


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