A PRIMARY care team involving some 11 GPs and up to 20 Health Service Executive (HSE) professionals which will cater for a population of almost 15,000 in parts of Co Kerry has been officially launched by Minister for Health Mary Harney.
Ms Harney praised all those involved in the establishment of the Castleisland/Farranfore Primary Care Team, which began work in 2006 following the completion of a local profile of service requirements for those living in the catchment area.
The project involves 11 GPs based in five practices in Castleisland and Farranfore coming together with healthcare professionals from the HSE to provide a range of services to various groups within the community; and this was particularly welcome, said Ms Harney.
Among the healthcare professionals involved in the project are a public health nurse, a physiotherapist, a speech and language therapist, a primary care liaison nurse involved with mental health services, as well as a part-time dietitian.
HSE South Kerry Community Services general manager Michael Ahern explained that, in line with the Government’s primary care strategy, the Castleisland/Farranfore team provided a team-based and user-friendly set of services.
“The project involves an integrated interdisciplinary team approach which allows for greater liaison between all the health professionals and ensures more comprehensive care for the patients, with clinical meetings being held across the five practices,” said Mr Ahern.
Mr Ahern said the initiatives developed by the team to date, with support from HSE South, included a health awareness day for the community and older people, as well as a breastfeeding support group for young mothers in the area.