Portlaoise may have to wait until 2026 for a primary health care centre to be constructed – a Laois TD has said.
According to Fianna Fail’s Sean Fleming, the design process for Portlaoise primary care centre was completed at the end of 2021.
The HSE intends to lodge an application for planning permission by early 2023 for a complex to be built on the grounds of St Fintan’s Hospital, subject to public spending code clearance.
Once planning permission is granted and the tender process concludes without any unforeseen delays, construction could start in 2024.
After that, construction of the project is expected to take 24-28 months.
Primary care centres are modern, purpose-designed buildings that provide a single location for a primary care team to work from. They have a key role in delivering a reformed health service.
The development of primary care centres is an important part of Sláintecare.
Primary care centres provide a single point of access to health services. They offer an ideal alternative to hospitals for the management of many aspects of care for long-term conditions like diabetes, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Primary care centres and other community facilities can also be developed to support access to diagnostics and to provide minor surgery.
Deputy Fleming said: “It is very disappointing that a large town like Portlaoise has not had a major Primary Care Centre available to the public.
“This facility will offer a full range of Primary Health Care Services as opposed to some people having to go to the hospital or A&E or other health facilities.
“We all hope that this time-frame will be achieved and this is dependent on capital funding being available and the HSE management being determined to stick to the timescale.
“Please be assured that I will continue to work closely with the HSE and the Department of Health to do everything I can to ensure this is achieved as soon as practicable.”
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