New Primary Care centre to open in 2017

SOD TURNING An Taoiseach Enda Kenny turning the sod on the new Claremorris Primary Care Centre. Pic: Keith Heneghan/Phocus

Michael Commins

AN Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, presided at the sod turning ceremony for the new Primary Care Centre at Kilcolman Road, Claremorris, yesterday (Monday). Work on the project has been under way for some weeks under the guidance and direction of the chief contractors, JJ Rhatigan and Company.
Speaking at a reception in the Dalton Inn Hotel after the brief ceremony, Mr Kenny said the new Primary Care Centre will become a central part of the local community offering both healthcare and compassion when it opens in the second half of 2017.
Primary Care Centres in Achill, Ballina, and Charlestown are already operational. The new Centre in Castlebar is nearing completion while the Westport Centre had its sod-turning in July 2016. 
The Taoiseach said a fine range of services will be provided in the Claremorris facility including dental, public health nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, and psychology. 
“This will be supplemented with accommodation for three GP practices under the one roof.  This will be a one stop shop for all primary care needs in Claremorris and the HSE compliment will be in the region of 15 staff.
“Great thought has been put into what local services will be provided in this building.  And just as much thought has been given to the building itself, ensuring elements such as energy conservation, operational needs and upkeep of the centre have been thoroughly considered.”
He said he was especially delighted that the chief contractor was also working alongside several local contractors from the county. “The main contractor on site, JJ Rattigan, will be working with local contractors such as Padraic McTigue from Castlebar, Shevlin Engineering in Belmullet, and Mayo’s Celtic Scaffolding.  Such investment represents opportunities for local contractors, as well as job creation in Mayo.
“On a personal level, I am delighted to see that local skill and expertise was drawn on for this development, with the use of local procurement, local subcontractors, and local suppliers.  Their local expertise will ensure this is one of the best primary care centres in the country when it is completed.”
Among the public representatives present were Minister of State Michael Ring, TD, Dara Calleary TD, Senator John O’Mahony (whom Mr Kenny singled out for special mention for helping to bring this project to fruition), and Cllrs John Cribbin, Richard Finn, Tom Connolly, John Caulfield, Patsy O’Brien and Damien Ryan. The Taoiseach was introduced by Marie Prendergast-Condron on behalf of the HSE.