Minister hopes new primary care centres in West Cork will reduce hospital admissions

The two new primary care buildings are in Bantry and Clonakilty

Minister of Health Stephen Donnelly at Bantry General Hospital today. The Bantry primary care building is home to 18 medical and healthcare services and two GP practices. Picture: Michael MacSweeney/Provision

Two new primary care centres in West Cork will bring health services closer to some 60,000 people in their catchment areas and reduce hospital admissions, the Health Minister said on Friday.

Stephen Donnelly was speaking as he officially opened the centres in Bantry and Clonakilty. They will provide a range of health services to people in the region, which includes several inhabited islands, before he later visited the new €5m, 20-bed extension at Clonakilty community hospital.