The Mullingar Primary Care Centre is the first of its kind for Octopus Healthcare in Ireland, providing the local population with a wide range of healthcare services directly in their community. The partnership between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Octopus Healthcare is an innovative approach to primary care, driven by patient demand.
“It is great to see the completion of Mullingar Primary Care Centre, the centre is one of the largest developed to date. I look forward to working with the Octopus Healthcare team during the operation of the primary care centre. Also I welcome the involvement of Octopus Healthcare in other primary care centre developments in Ireland.” Jim Curran, Head of Estates for the HSE
The challenge
Mullingar, in County Westmeath, is a town that has seen rapid growth in the last decade. The population has increased by 6.13% since 2006; currently over 20,000 residents reside within five kilometres of the new centre. This growth has put pressure on essential services, not least healthcare services and the 5,000m2 Mullingar Primary Care Centre was conceived to address these challenges.
Octopus Healthcare facilitated funding for the development through the MedicX Fund, and has worked closely with all parties on this ambitious €13 million project. Key partners include, the Health Service Executive (HSE), TUSLA (Child & Family Agency), two long established local GP practices, a local pharmacist, and Feasible: a property development and management company with extensive experience working in the healthcare sector in Ireland.
“The finished building looks superb and is our most ambitious to date with regards to the build complexities and nature of the construction works. In partnership with the HSE and GPs, the new building responds perfectly to the core strategy of the HSE to bring centres providing a wide range of services to the community, driven by general practice. This is a provision that local people need and we look forward to hearing feedback from patients on their new centre. Over 100 people were involved in the construction and an equal number of healthcare professionals (from the public and private sector) will be based in the centre.” Pat Nolan, Director at Feasible Developments
The solution
The goal of the project was to provide Mullingar with state of the art primary care facilities in the community, and for the first time provide many key healthcare services under one roof.
Previously local residents accessed healthcare services in Mullingar at different locations around the town, many of these were overstretched as a result of increased patient demand. The new Mullingar Primary Care Centre provides the space and facilities for a growing community and increased demand for healthcare services from an ageing population. Alongside standard primary care services, the new Centre also provides community nursing, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, homecare assistance, a mental health clinic and day hospital, dental unit, registration service, diagnostic centre and a community café.
“This exemplar facility is at the forefront of primary care service provision for Ireland. Both the property and the range of services provided is entirely designed to support the growing needs of the community and the wider healthcare system. We look forward to working with our partners across Ireland and the Health Service Executive over the coming years to deliver more best-in-class healthcare centres.” Tim Meggitt, Director at Octopus Healthcare
Mullingar Primary Care Centre opened in February 2017 and has been warmly received by healthcare professionals and patients alike. The healthcare teams benefit from best in class facilities and a joined-up approach to delivering services to the local community. Patients have welcomed having a ‘one stop shop’ for the majority of their healthcare needs, and the Centre’s proximity to the Midland Regional Hospital ensures that there is comprehensive healthcare provision in the local community.
This is the first of several new healthcare properties in Ireland for Octopus Healthcare, to find out more about the MedicX Fund and what we do please get in touch. Call 020 3142 4830 or email [email protected]
