Minister Mary Harney TD launched 4 additional Primary Care Teams for Clondalkin recently and referred to the event as 'Another milestone in the life of the Clondalkin Health and Social Care Network'. The four new teams will work with the existing team from the Dunawley/Deansrath area in forming the Health and Social Care Network for the area.

The Clondalkin Primary Care Teams aim to provide easier access to health services for people in the area. The services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, public health nurses, social workers and network services such as Dietetics, Mental Health Services, psychology, speech and language services which, coupled with excellent GP participation provides Clondalkin and the surrounding areas with a very comprehensive service.

Opening the ceremony Gerry O'Neill, Local Health Manager welcomed the Minister and local community representatives for attending the information day, he said, "I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Clondalkin Primary Care Teams for their work in the area. There has been a huge amount of work invested in this initiative by all professionals on the team and by the local health office staff."

"There is great satisfaction and great support for those who are working in teams. The Primary Care Model is the only way to deliver a modern community medical service," he continued.
Approximately 45,000 people living in the area will avail of the services of the teams, who will be based at Dunawley/Deansrath, The Village, Moorefield/Cappaghmore, Rowlagh and Monastery Road.

As part of efforts to involve local communities in the Primary Care Teams, in a process that will be as inclusive as possible, initial discussions have taken place with the Clondalkin Community Health Initiative. The discussions are taking a place with a view to developing community representation on Primary Care Teams and exploring the possibility of running joint HSE/Community Health initiatives

Focus Groups to establish interest amongst the people of Clondalkin are running during July/August. A first meeting has been arranged for September for the HSE and all groups and residents in Clondalkin interested in becoming involved. This meeting will look at the best way the community can engage with the Primary Care Teams and will examine the number of local community representatives who will be involved.

Speaking at the launch Minister Mary Harney TD, said, "I am pleased that we are launching 4 new Primary Care Teams in Clondalkin today. The Primary Care model is about professionals coming together as a team with the patient at the centre. I have no doubt that this team will endeavour to ensure that patient's receive high quality services as close to home as possible from a team of professionals."

"Our challenge is to be innovative, to think differently so we provide a service which is based on the needs of the community. It is clear Clondalkin has greatly expanded and the health services are responding to this progressively. The launch of this service shows that real progress is being made and delivered to people that matter the most, our patients."

The Primary Care Teams will serve to strengthen the primary care system in the Clondalkin area and play a more central role as the first and ongoing point of contact for clients within the health-care system. They will enable patients to access services more readily and enhance the capacity for primary care in the areas of disease prevention, rehabilitation and personal social services to complement the existing diagnosis and treatment focus.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Deena Ramiah, a local GP confirmed his commitment to the development, saying, "I am happy to be here today to represent the GPs. We all subscribe to the ethos of the Primary Care Team and would greatly like to see the system work effectively. I believe working in a team will bring great benefits to the patients however, this is just the beginning and we have work to do together to ensure the teams success in the future."

Presentations were also given on the day by representatives of the Public Health Nurse Service and the Physiotherapy Service who will all provide invaluable services to the people of Clondalkin.

In the presentation delivered by Catherine Hanley, Public Health Nurse, she spoke about the current services being offered such as the Community Mothers Programme and plans to introduce a Post Natal Distress Group and Incredible Years Programme.

Roseanne Duff spoke about the service provided by the Physiotherapy Service and highlighted plans to increase the OPD service from 3 to 5 full days and introduce Women's Health Physiotherapy Service, in addition to class interventions.

The Primary Care information leaflet was also launched at the event. The leaflet outlines the work of the team and the range of services now available to the communities. If you require a leaflet, please contact David Tully at 01-6206310