Primary care centre at midway point

THE development of the new €7.5 million Primary Care Centre at the estuary site in Carrigaline is now past the critical midway point, with building works currently at third-floor level.

According to the developer, Axis Healthcare, the 32,000 sq foot purpose-built facility is on schedule and will open in August 2017 as planned.

Services at the new Carrigaline Primary Care Centre will include the Bridge House GP Practice with 5 general practitioners, a pharmacy, public health nursing and other HSE community healthcare services.

In August 2017, the centre will open with the GP Practice and Pharmacy, with HSE Community Healthcare Services expected to follow in subsequent months.

With more than 160 car spaces, including electric car charging spaces and cycle spaces, the facility has been built to accommodate the population of Carrigaline, Crosshaven and environs.

Speaking at a site visit to review progress, Minister Simon Coveney said, “The new facility will provide accommodation for the Primary Care Team and network services including public health nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech & language therapy, podiatry, dental and home support as well as GP services and a pharmacy. This centre will be an excellent healthcare resource for the area.”

There are more than 40 people employed on the site currently, with this figure expected to double in the coming months as the fit-out for the centre begins.

Mayor of the County of Cork Seamus McGrath also visited the site, saying: "This state of the art facility will be a key location for the provision of quality healthcare services for the region, and the community here will benefit enormously from immediate access to a wide range of services from public health services, community health programmes and a GP practice."

Ger Reaney, HSE Chief Officer Cork & Kerry Community Health Organisation, said the centre will be of enormous benefit to those living in the town and surrounding area.