Pa Daly
Ceist:128. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the status of his review into primary care facilities. [50810/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 19 October 2021
Ceisteanna (128)
Freagraí scríofa
The primary responsibility for both the provision and the maintenance and operation of primary care facilities, including Primary Care Centres (PCCs), falls to the HSE. The HSE provide quarterly reports to the Department on the progress of the development of PCCs that show information on both operational and non-operational PCCs and allows the Department to review progress on an ongoing basis.
In this regard, there continues to be good progress in the development and rollout of PCCs, with 145 centres now operational, up from 70 at the end of 2012. Three more PCCs are expected to become operational before the end of 2021 and a further 24 are scheduled to open in 2022.
As we implement Sláintecare, the way in which health and social care services are organised is changing. This includes the ongoing establishment of Community Health Networks and community specialist teams under the Enhanced Community Care programme. Recognising that the ECC provides for the employment of approximately 3,500 additional WTEs, a comprehensive programme of work has commenced under the auspices of the HSE ECC Steering Group to ensure appropriate development of primary care infrastructure.
This programme of work is examining the accommodation requirements arising under the ECC programme and it is understood that it is closely aligned with the overall Capital Development Programme, Sláintecare proposals and the Primary Care Centre Development Programme. It is anticipated that the HSE will share this plan with the Department for consideration and review in due course.