New primary care centre planned for Limerick

THE HSE is planning to build a new multi-storey health centre in the city.

Permission is being sought from Limerick City and County Council to build a new primary care centre on the grounds of St Joseph’s Hospital campus at Mulgrave Street.

The four-storey unit would include a doctor’s surgery, a BreastCheck clinic, and community care services.

On top of this, the needs of dental patients are planned for, as well as help for people who need to manage chronic diseases.

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There will also be consulting rooms, a retail cafe, and all associated administration offices.

Some 110 car parking spaces are planned, with seven of these to be wheelchair accessible.

There are also 110 bicycle spaces proposed.

The development is earmarked to take place at the front of the St Joseph’s Hospital site, facing onto Mulgrave Street.

In documents presented to council planners, agents for the HSE described the proposed centre as “a critical infrastructure project” for the development of the Slaintecare stategy, which is designed to improve Ireland’s healthcare system.

“The Primary Care Centre is to provide accommodation for two primary care teams currently based within Limerick in accommodation that falls short of what is required by current best practice health design,” they add.

Although large parts of St Joseph’s are out of use, the HSE has plans to redevelop the former psychiatric hospital back into operation.

The building is expected to become a new administrative hub for the health service locally.

A new mental health day hospital and rehabilitation facility are also planned for the vast building.

Council is scheduled to decide on the primary care centre by May 7 next.