Range of health services due to be operational in new Birr Primary Care Centre this year

A large number of services are due to be up and running in the new Birr Primary Care Centre by the end of the year, Fine Gael TD John Clendennen has been told.

The information came about following a request by Clendennen for an an update from the Health Service Executive (HSE) regarding the highly anticipated Birr Primary Care Centre project.

Following recent Parliamentary Questions (PQs) submitted by Deputy Clendennen to the Minister for Health, the HSE has confirmed a comprehensive suite of health services intended to be operational at the new facility by the end of 2026.

“We can see great progress at the Primary Care Centre site in Birr, but it is important to remain focused on the services to be provided from the facility once it is open. I want to ensure that the full suite of expected services is provided as soon as possible once this state-of-the-art facility opens.” stated Deputy Clendennen.

The Community Healthcare Network (CHN) Manager has confirmed the services that are intended to be operational from Birr Primary Care Centre by the end of 2026. The services will include Adult Primary Care Occupational Therapy Services, Adult Primary Care Physiotherapy Services, Adult Primary Care Speech and Language Therapy Services, Paediatric Primary Care Physiotherapy Services, Paediatric Primary Care Speech and Language Therapy Services, Primary Care Social Work Services and Primary Care Dietetics (sessional basis).

Further services due to move to the building but not under the line management of the CHN Manager include Primary Care Child and Family Psychology Services, Public Health Nursing Services, Counselling in Primary Care, Dental, Home Support Team, Mental Health Day Service, Merchants Quay Ireland (sessional basis), Adult Alcohol Counselling (sessional basis), Health Promotion Smoke Cessation Programme (sessional basis), Schools Vaccination Programme (sessional basis), Migrant Care GP Clinics (sessional basis), Children’s Disability Network Team (sessional basis)

Regarding the timeline for opening, the HSE noted in a separate response that while practical completion of the building has not yet been accepted from the contractor or landlord, services currently delivered from Birr Community Nursing Unit such as Primary Care Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, will also relocate to the new Birr Primary Care Centre once it is fully open.

Speaking on the responses received, Deputy Clendennen stated,: "I am very much looking forward to seeing this vital project come to fruition. Having visited the site during its construction, I am eager to see the works completed so that the surrounding community can have access to such a great facility.

“This will be a game-changer for healthcare provision in Birr and the surrounding areas."

Clendennen concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the project.

“I will continue to engage closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the doors of the Birr Primary Care Centre will open as soon as possible, and to also ensure the full suite of services expected are on offer.”