Limerick town’s primary care centre is on the agenda ‘for years’

THE HSE has acknowledged that the matter of a new primary care centre accommodation for Abbeyfeale has been “on the agenda for a number of years”. 

Joe Hoare, assistant national director, Capital and Estates Mid-West, was responding to a question from Cllr Liam Galvin at the Regional Health Forum West meeting on May 27.

Cllr Galvin asked: “If there was any response to the eTender for Abbeyfeale Primary Care Centre, as the closing date was last August.”

The Abbeyfeale-based councillor added: “It was very vague, just build 1,000 - 1,250sqm building - no drawing or location.”

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Mr Hoare replied a number of interested bidders have been identified and have put forward sites for the project following the most recent expression of interest process, following advertisement on eTenders last year. 

“Primary care services in Abbeyfeale are currently delivered  from various locations in the town so the development of a new primary care centre in this location would allow for both the  co-location and expansion of services. 

“The intention is to complete a final review of both the current and future service needs  over the coming weeks in order to validate the overall staffing needs and the size requirement for the proposed centre  arising,” said Mr Hoare.

It is then the intention of the HSE to progress with the seeking of priced offers from the identified bidders via the eTenders Procurement Platform, he said. 

“HSE will be in contact with the bidders who have expressed an interest in this project shortly on this matter. 

“Further information will be available on the project delivery plan once the tender process has been completed,” said Mr Hoare.

It is intended to deliver such accommodation via the Operational Lease Model, included Mr Hoare in his response to Cllr Galvin.

The Fine Gael councillor had also raised Abbeyfeale Primary Care Centre at the Regional Health Forum West meeting last November.

“What I want is one building fit for purpose for all... with adequate parking and adequate resources. We also need a unit where incidents can be dealt with rather than patients presenting at A&E,” said Cllr Galvin.

Services intended to be delivered from the new centre include public health nursing, physiotherapy, speech and language, occupational therapy, social work and dental.