Primary Care Centre in Offaly officially opened by Minister

THE state-of-the-art HSE Primary Care Centre in Banagher was officially opened by Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill on Thursday last.

The centre which is 1,737 sq. metres and operational since January 2021 provides a range of health services from a single integrated, modern facility including Primary Care Services, Mental Health Services, GP Suite with health associated offices and staff facilities. The primary care centre serves the healthcare needs of the people of Banagher and the surrounding areas.

On the visit the Minister met with key health providers including GPs and the Chronic Disease team located within the Primary Care Centre who aim to deliver care close to home and in a co-ordinated way for those with Type II Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, COPD and Asthma; aiming to support individuals to manage their chronic conditions by providing access and supports when needed and care away from the hospital.

"Today's visit to Offaly and this impressive new Primary Care Centre in Banagher highlights our commitment to bringing integrated, high-quality healthcare directly to people's doorsteps. This centre, together with the Enhanced Community Care initiatives available, like the Chronic Disease Management, is making a real difference thanks to the dedication of the local HSE staff, GPs, and Primary Care Teams across Offaly and the Midlands. I extend my sincere thanks to everyone for their work, always, for the people,” she said.

Donal Fitzsimons, Acting Integrated Health Area Manager for the Midlands area welcomed the Minister and invited guests. Mr Fitzsimons acknowledged the work of the local GPs and the wider community and elected representatives who play a vital role in developing primary care infrastructure, “These services are designed and built to allow us fully integrate our health services and meet the needs of our population closer to home. We are committed to work with healthcare partners to further enhance patient experiences, ensure value for money and pride in the community.”

Mr Joseph Ruane, Head of Services for Primary Care in IHA Midlands added “I would like to thank the Minister for coming to see and officially open Banagher Primary Care Centre today. The people of Banagher are very proud of this facility. I would also like to acknowledge the work and commitment of the GP community here in Banagher. Dr Velma Harkins, who has recently retired, but was instrumental in the delivery of this primary care centre and Dr Shane Carroll who has his practice and continues to work with us. We are very privileged to work in healthcare and to have an opportunity to enhance and improve how the community receives health services. The HSE are committed to advancing integrated care for Banagher and the wider Midlands area.”

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Dr Velma Harkins, described as the driving force behind the project, said “this is a great day, a day that I didn't think would ever happen. I'm delighted that you are all here today, public representatives, our HSE colleagues, our pharmacy colleagues.

“Thinking back about this whole enterprise, we have been in operation since about 2021 and this is a great opportunity to celebrate this achievement and recognise the people who helped along the way.

“As I've often said it was a very long gestation. The Banagher Primary Care Centre team was first formed in 2006. That was an initiative that for the first time linked GPs with their public health nurse colleagues, dieticians, occupational therapists and I can see some of the original staff members here today, which is lovely to see. It was the first time we started working together in the health services, joining up general practice with our other primary care colleagues. It soon became clear to me that if we were to grow and develop we were going to need more space and that was back in 2006.

“With this in mind in 2009,” Dr Harkins continued, “I approached Offaly County Council, who were key to the success of this development. We identified a site and they supported us in that. We got planning permission but then the recession hit and everything fell apart. But persistence is these matters is key and those who know me well know persistence is a characterisic.

“In November 2014 there was a really brief call issued by the HSE for Primary Care Centres and we had three weeks to submit a full proposal for planning and we decided to go for it. We had three weeks of no sleep but in that three weeks we had a proposal in and were ready to go. Then the long journey started but we never gave up,” she added.

Dr Harkins paid tribute to some of the key people involved in the project. “First and foremost from Offaly County Council was the wonderful Tom Shanahan, who is retired now as Director of Services, but every step of the way the advice, wisdom was invaluable and we would not be here without him. We also would not be here without Pa Daly, who was HSE Estates, who when things weren't looking all that great was invaluable. The unsung enablers who never get thanked are the politicians. They are people who are committed to public service who deliver for the population and they do not get the recognition that they deserve. From the very start we had wonderful political support and I'm delighted to see former Senator Pat Moylan here, who from the very beginning of this project helped me in every way and towards the end of the project we had John Clendennen, and without these people we would not be here. In the middle Minister for Health Simon Harris was plagued by me - and there is no other word - to progress this. In fairness every time I asked for help he supported me.

“For all of us in the practice, we have strived to create a centre of excellence with patient care central to all we do. I'm looking forward to the future for Banagher and its community and Dr Shane Carroll will be leading the team and we have a great team and will continue to provide the best care possible for the community.

“At the end of my clinical career now, I have to say I am most grateful for my wonderful patients. Those people gave me the privilege of being their GP and trusted me to take care of them. It was a wonderful gift and I loved every minute of it. I will continue to work nationally in some other roles that I will be coming involved with and I will always support Banagher and Offaly and support general practice in the years to come,” Dr Harkins concluded.

Minister Carroll McNeill said it was fitting that Dr Harkins had spoken “as it's so appropriate that we have got to hear from the driver of this magnificent project as I know it wouldn't be here without your drive, your vision and your excellent pestering of my good colleague Simon Harris.”

“It's great to see all the different teams here, the mental health team, the public health hurse team upstairs, social work team and all the people working together for the people of Banagher. This is a fantastic facility where you've got GPs, you've got mental health teams, occupational therapy, public health nurses, it's a really excellent facility and I'm so happy to be here to celebrate with everyone in the community who has put so much into this,” added the Minister, who then, along with Dr Harkins, unveiled a plaque to mark the opening.

Services provided at Banagher Primary Care Centre include;

- GP services

- Mental Health

- Migrant GP service

- Public Health Nursing

- Primary Care Social Work

- Primary Care Speech & Language Therapy

- Chronic Disease Management Services

- Counselling in Primary Care.

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