Latest Stimulus commitment to Health Centre in Rathdrum builds on provision of integrated Primary Health Care Services for Co. Wicklow

Local TD Andrew Doyle has welcomed the announcement of a new Primary Healthcare Centre for Rathdrum as part of the Government stimulus package being unveiled today. This new centre is the third primary healthcare centre to be developed in the east of the county, with the aim of providing the people of Wicklow with an integrated health service.
“The announcement of this project reaffirms a commitment to the provision of health services given when the old Health Boards were dissolved. As a member of the outgoing East Coast Area Health Board, I was involved in drawing up a list of necessary future capital projects, this being one of them. This Primary Care Centre will mean that people in Rathdrum and the surrounding access will have improved access to a range of medical facilities including doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, community nursing services, home help and support services.
“This development is part of the €2bn stimulus package announced today (Tuesday) by Minister Howlin and Minister Reilly. The development of this primary healthcare centre will be by means of an investor Public private partnership model and it is envisaged that the development of this primary healthcare centre in Rathdrum will be help to sustain and create local jobs for local people.
‘When the East Coast Area Health Board was wound down in 2004 it was acknowledged at the time that Wicklow Town, Newtown and Rathdrum would all need Primary Healthcare Centres. It is positive to see that primary healthcare centres have been approved for all three of these towns as it reaffirms the commitment made back in 2004.
‘The primary healthcare centre in Newtown which opened in January has been a great addition to the locality and has proved to be a great facility for local people. The Wicklow town Primary Care Centre project has had most of the preparatory work completed and is at an advanced pre-construction stage.
‘The people of Rathdrum and surrounding localities will benefit from today’s announcement from a health services delivery perspective as well as the associated economic benefits from the construction of the Centre. It has taken a number of years but is to be welcomed that the people of East Wicklow will now have appropriate levels of local health service delivery which will lessen the pressure on our over-burdened hospital system.”