Westbury health centre to reduce waiting times

THOUSANDS of people living in South-East Clare will benefit from reduced waiting times following the opening of a new primary health centre in the heart of Westbury.
That’s according to Clare health manager, Dr Fergal Flynn, who explained that more primary care services such as physiotherapy and speech therapy services would be made available to residents at the new centre, which was officially opened last week.
“Previously, patients would have to travel to Shannon, Ennis or other centres for such services. If you also consider the travel time, how the patients and their families/carers may have to organise their lives around appointments, having these services available locally is very significant. 
“Clients are seen in a more timely fashion by healthcare professionals whom they are familiar with, thereby often resulting in a more satisfactory outcome for both client and healthcare worker,” he said.
Primary care development officer, Alice McGinley, said one of the major problems in the past with primary care was the fragmentation of services.
For the first time, Ms McGinley explained, a conscious and ongoing effort is being made to deliver primary care services in an integrated way. 
“The Westbury Primary Care Team is one of 12 teams which have commenced in Clare. These teams mainly work with a defined population and work together through inter-referral and regular team meetings to provide an integrated service for clients in the area. We are hoping that it will make a real difference in the areas of disease prevention, rehabilitation and personal social services,” she said.
Former Mid-Western Health Board hospitals’ network manager, John O’Brien, who is now the HSE national director, returned to the region last week to perform the official honours.
Mr O’Brien said that, traditionally, the focus of the health service and its developments has been around the hospital system but now, it is widely acknowledged that primary care services could meet 90 to 95% of all health and personal social service needs.
“There is now a new focus on health in the community, taking people out of hospital waiting rooms and giving greater access to a variety of services.
“International evidence clearly demonstrates that within countries with strong systems of primary care, the health system as a whole is more cost-effective and the health status and health outcomes for people are better,” he said.
The Westbury Primary Care Team (PCT), which has recently commenced, comprises local GPs and existing HSE staff who provide services to a population of approximately 7,720 people including Westbury, Shannonbanks, Clonlara, Parteen and Ardnacrusha. 
The current team delivers GP services, community nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy services, community welfare, home help and extended services such as mental health services, podiatry and school health services.