Bernard Allen
Ceist:329 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children when the first cross-Border out of hours primary care service will be established. [27823/01]
Written Answers. - Primary Care Service.
CAWT – Co-operation and Working Together – a group established by the North-Eastern and North-Western Health Boards in the South and the Southern and Western Health and Social Services Boards in the North, has commissioned a feasibility study on a cross-Border primary care project. The results of this study will be presented at the February meeting of CAWT and it is expected that this will lead to the establishment of a pilot project by April next which will be evaluated.
Relationships between the members of co-operatives in both jurisdictions have been very fruitful. The Northern co-ops provided very helpful advice and support when the concept of out of hours projects was being introduced in the South. Three members of one of the Northern co-ops attended a national out of hours conference held in County Dublin last June. Co-operation of this kind is mutually beneficial and I am anxious to see it maintained and extended.