14 primary care centres open to investment

The Government has opened up 14 of its primary care centres to private investors with help from a €70m cheap loan from the European Investment Bank.

The bank announced its decision to provide the loan for the €142m project as part of its contribution to the EU’s strategic investment fund aimed at improving the attractiveness of projects that create jobs.

This is the EU’s investment banks’ first capital investment in Irish health facilities and was chosen because it was ready to proceed quickly.

Three consortiums have been shortlisted to build all 14 centres in: Westport; Claremorris, Ballinrobe; Ballymote; Boyle; Tuam; Dungarvan; Carrick-on-Suir; Waterford; Wexford; Kilcock; Coolock-Darndale, and Summerhill, Dublin.

Work is due to start on the sites in January.

DISCOVER MORE CONTENT LIKE THIS

There are already 44 primary health centres funded directly by the State or leased from private investors and there are plans for an additional 20 under similar arrangements.

All centres will include GP and community nursing teams and offer additional services. They will be open at least five days a week with extra hours at weekends and evenings for some services. Designed to take pressure off hospitals, they have also been the subject of fraught discussion between the HSE and the medical profession.

Minister of State Kathleen Lynch said the move helps the Government’s policy of having 95% of healthcare delivered in the community.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar said he hoped it would encourage others to invest.

DISCOVER MORE CONTENT LIKE THIS