Brand new primary care centres in Boyle, Tuam, Ballinrobe, Limerick, Claremorris (pictured), Ballymote, and Kilcock, have become the first to be completed as part of a ‘groundbreaking’ public-private partnership (PPP) to deliver 14 new primary care facilities across the Republic of Ireland.
The centres are part of a €140 million ‘landmark programme’ to improve primary care infrastructure across the country. Working on behalf of, and in collaboration with, the Health Service Executive, the project was delivered by a consortium led by healthcare property company Prime, international infrastructure group, Balfour Beatty, and investment company InfraRed Capital Partners.
PPPs have previously been used for larger acute facilities. However, by ‘bundling’ the 14 projects together, the consortium secured the investment required for the primary care programme, including 50 per cent through the European Investment Bank. The remainder was raised by Prime Balfour Beatty, in partnership with the NDFA, from commercial lenders.
The 14 new centres will target treating 90-95 per cent of medical conditions in a primary care setting. Further primary care centres are still under construction in Dublin, Waterford, Mayo, Tipperary, and Wexford.
