New primary care centre could create 300 jobs

A new primary health care centre which will provide essential HSE services, GP and dental care, as well as a new diagnostic facility is set to open near Navan Hospital by 2022.

An estimated 300 jobs could be created by the opening of the long awaited facility which is expected to be built by a private company.
The HSE has given a commitment to enter into a lease with the developer, subject to certain conditions and it is believed the project is expected to be up and running by 2022.
It is believed a British-based company, Universal Health Primary Care has signed up with the HSE to provide the facility which will be located close to Our Lady's Hospital and Beaufort House at Moatlands.
Among the services believed to be planned for the facility, which is currently in the preliminary stages of planning, is a seven day a week diagnostic clinic with high-tech scanning equipment including MRI machines.
The HSE is also expected to use the facility for a number of essential local services including Mental Health services.
A pharmacy, dental service and GP practice are also expected to move into the building.
The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Tommy Reilly welcomed the development and hoped it would go through the planning process swiftly. “This will create a couple of hundred jobs when completed,” he predicted.
Cllr Joe Reilly said Navan had been waiting for a primary care centre for some time and it was several years behind schedule.
Cllr Wayne Forde expressed his delight at the news. “This is great news. The new unit will increase patient care and safety for people living in County Meath.”
The chairman of the Save Navan Hospital Campaign, Depuity Peadar Tóibín has welcomed the news. “It is not before time. We are pleased that an aspect of our campaign is being delivered upon”.
“The lack of such as facility has created much difficulty for patients in the Navan area. The development of this facility must include an increase in the number of GPs in the town. The lack of GPs is at crisis point and is leading to lengthy waiting times for patients. It has also led to a situation whereby some people new to the area have not been able to register with doctors. This has had a knock on effect in our hospital, with many people who could be treated in a Primary Health Care facility making their way to the A&E and adding to the horrendous overcrowding there.”
Deputy Tóibin said the new facility would also allow for other health care services such as Mental Health services to be better delivered in the region. “The lack of accommodation for Mental Health teams in the county is a serious problem, one which is significantly curtailing the ability of management to recruit staff within the sector. Staff levels in the Mental Health division are not at the necessary levels and this is causing difficulties for patients and staff alike.
“For me timing is key. This project should not be allowed to slip any further. Talk of a 2022 completion date should not be countenanced. In my experience when projects have long delivery dates that danger of slippage is increased.
“We need to be more ambitions for Meath, we need it now,” he said.