Irish government to revamp primary care

The Irish government has released details of an ambitious and radical plan to revamp primary care services.

The primary care scheme, which is part of the overall seven to 10 year national health strategy, aims to integrate all strands of primary care—including GPs, nurses, midwives, and social care professionals such as dietitians, counsellors, and physiotherapists—to reduce pressure on the hospital system.

So called “one stop service” units are to be created throughout the country, each serving a population area of 3000 to 7000. Twenty to thirty such units are to be set up by …