PLANS AT ‘VERY ADVANCED STAGE’ FOR NEW GREYSTONES CARE CENTRE
PLANS are at ‘a very advanced stage’ for a new primary care centre which will be developed near the park and ride car park in Greystones.
Minister Simon Harris made the announcement following a query from Labour chairman Jack O’Connor, who is a General Election candidate for Co Wicklow.
Minister Harris said that the provider has received a letter of intent to allow preparation of the planning application.
‘It is anticipated that the planning application will be submitted before the end of the year,’ said Mr Harris.
Along with GP services, the centre will provide speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, mental health services and other services. The Minister for Health said that the construction of primary care centres throughout the country will put in place infrastructure that will assist a move to more community-based health services and reduce reliance on acute hospitals.
Prior to Mr Harris’ announcement, Labour’s Jack O’Connor had sought clarification and an update on the proposed centre.
‘During my recent visits around parts of Greystones, the issue of the new Primary Care Centre has been raised with me on a number of occasions. Back as far as 2014, my colleague and former TD, Anne Ferris, received confirmation from the HSE that Greystones had been short-listed as a priority for a new all-purpose Primary Care Centre,’ he said.
‘Four years later, the local residents in Greystones, who have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the centre, are at a loss to know why it isn’t up and running at this stage.’
Mr O’Connor welcomed the announcement from the minister, saying it had come ‘ better late than never’, and adding ‘we’re still a long way from the centre being ready for use.’