HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare Networks hosted a very informative and useful GP Lead event at The Ryan Suite of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ennis Road, Co Clare with colleagues from across Community Healthcare Networks and ULHG in attendance and number of keynote speakers addressing the gathering.
Maria Bridgeman, Chief Officer, HSE MW Community Healthcare, opened the event and spoke of her great pride at the progress made in the region in the roll out of the Community Healthcare Network Model and at the ‘incredible relationship’ which has developed and grown with the GP’s.
“We have come a very long way and we are listening to the voice of the GP’s Leads because you are so critical to access to healthcare for all of the people in our region. It is equally as important that colleague GP’s have an understanding of what is available and where they can access services. Whatever else we do, we have to keep in mind that we are all here to give the best service to the people of the Mid West region that we possibly can,” the Chief Officer said adding that the confidence placed in the organisation by Government to deliver the Sláintecare programme has been very significant.
While there was much interaction from the floor the other keynote speakers on the day were:
Dr David Hanlon, National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead Primary Care;
Dr Conor Geaney, GP Lead, CHN6 South Limerick and Dr Conor McGee, CHN3 East Clare who spoke on the CHN GP Lead role and progress made to date;
Dr Mai Mannix, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, who gave a public health update;
Ms Tina Fitzgerald, General Manager, Urgent and Emergency Care Directorate, UL Hospital Groups who spoke on the new UEC Directorate in UHLG;
Dr Aoife Leahy, Consultant Geriatrician and Mr Antoinette Johnston, ICPOP Operational Lead who spoke on Integrated Care Programme of Older People. There was also an update on the Chronic Disease Management Teams and the Community Healthcare Networks which are geographically based units consisting of between four and six multidisciplinary clinical Primary Care Teams. These teams manage and deliver local services to a defined population and they work together to meet the needs of people in the area.
Margaret Costello, Head of Service Primary Care delivered the closing address to an event which was regarded as being a great success.
