Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 December 2012
331. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans for the continuation of child psychology as a critical element of primary care services; if he will provide an assurance that the model of full multi-disciplinary teams including psychology will continue to be the model employed for primary care. [57697/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a commitment in the Programme for Government to introducing a better and more efficient health system, a single-tier health service that will deliver equal access to care based on need, not income. The development of primary care services must be an essential component of the health service reform process. In a developed primary care system, up to 95 per cent of people’s day-to-day health and social care needs can be met in the primary care setting.
Fully developed Primary Care Teams give people direct access to integrated multi-disciplinary teams of general practitioners, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others. There are currently 422 Primary Care Teams in place, albeit at varying stages of development. The intention is that Primary Care Teams will be supported by a wider range of professionals, including pharmacists, dieticians, psychologists and chiropodists who will form a Health and Social Care Network. No change to this model is anticipated.
