THE HSE has been forced back to the drawing board with the proposed Bishopstown primary care centre after an initial search for a site failed to secure a suitable location.

Meanwhile, a primary care centre in Douglas will not progress until plans for one in Togher are finalised.

In two letters to Cork South Central Fianna Fáil TD Michael McGrath, the HSE confirmed the status of the three proposed southside primary care centres.

The HSE said that a national needs assessment has shown that Bishopstown requires its own primary care centre.

However, it also confirmed that, following an initial search for expressions of interest, no acceptable proposal has been received in the area to date.

Another ad will go out in the first quarter of this year seeking new expressions of interest.

A separate letter said that work is currently underway with developers to progress a primary care centre in Togher.

Once the capacity and location of this centre are agreed, an assessment will begin to examine the need for primary care in the Douglas area.

The HSE has struggled to find a suitable location for a primary care centre in Togher for several years, with one site being rejected by locals and city councillors in 2014.

Mr McGrath praised the opening of a new centre in his hometown of Carrigaline but added that locations need to be secured around the rest of his constituency.

“If we are serious about relieving the pressure on our acute hospital system, we need to deliver primary care centres in all major centres of population.

“The new primary care centre in Carrigaline is a tremendous addition to the area.

“Urban centres such as Douglas, Bishopstown and Togher need their own primary care centre where a range of services can be provided in the community.

“I will continue to press the HSE for delivery of a full network of primary care centres across Cork,” he said.