Primary care centre in East Cork town set to open in summer 2027

A Youghal-based county councillor has said she is delighted with progress made on a new primary care centre in the East Cork town, after it emerged it is expected the facility will be completed by summer 2027.

Independent councillor Mary Linehan Foley had asked for an update and a timeline on the centre at last week’s Regional Health Forum South Meeting.

Sonya Cotter, integrated healthcare area manager for Cork North and East, said work on the required legal documentation is ongoing.

Fundamental

“The new primary care centre is fundamental to the delivery of service reforms set out in Slaintecare.

“It will assist in the provision of safe and effective health and social care services in Youghal and will improve our health service and the health and wellbeing of the people living in Youghal by providing the “right care, in the right place, at the right time,” said Ms Cotter.

“Capital and Estates Office are working with the developer on the completion of the legal documents, required for the development, while the developer is working in the background on the procurement of the contractor for the construction of the facility. It is currently anticipated that the facility will be completed by Q2 2027.”

She said it is anticipated that podiatry, vision testing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, public health nursing services, an area medical officer and dental services will all be available at the centre.

In addition to these services, children disability network team (CDNT), home support outreach and mental health services and will also be provided in the primary care centre.

Agenda

Ms Linehan Foley told The Echo that the centre is hugely needed for the growing population in the area, saying: “I am delighted that this is finally moving forward, it’s 10 to 15 years on my agenda.

“This will be a massive boost to Youghal as we don’t have south doc or the services mentioned in the motion, people have to travel to Midleton, 20 mins away, which isn’t right in this day and age.”