Health Minister Officially Opens Midlands Primary Care Centre

Thursday, 17 April 2025 16:00

Dr Velma Harkin & Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

The Offaly facility provides GP and mental health services.

The Health Minister is visiting the Midlands today.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will officially open the Banagher Primary Care Centre this afternoon.

The centre which has been open since January 2021 provides a wide range of services to people in the region, such as GP and mental health services.

She's also meeting with the Chronic Disease Team in the centre who support those living with Type Two Diabetes, COPD and Asthma.

The centre will serve the healthcare needs of Banagher and its surrounding areas, with the HSE saying it is part of their commitment to advanced integrated care for the wider Midlands area.

The Health Minister says "Today's visit to Offaly and this impressive new Primary Care Centre in Banagher highlights our commitment to bringing integrated, high-quality healthcare directly to people's doorsteps. This centre, together with the Enhanced Community Care initiatives available, like the Chronic Disease Management, is making a real difference thanks to the dedication of the local HSE staff, GPs, and Primary Care Teams across Offaly and the Midlands. I extend my sincere thanks to everyone for their work, always, for the people.”

Donal Fitzsimons, Acting Integrated Health Area Manager for the Midlands area acknowledged the work of the local GPs and the wider community and elected representatives who played a vital role in developing primary care infrastructure, “These services are designed and built to allow us fully integrate our health services and meet the needs of our population closer to home. We are committed to work with healthcare partners to further enhance patient experiences, ensure value for money and pride in the community.”

Joseph Ruane, Head of Services for Primary Care in IHA Midlands added “I would like to thank the Minister for coming to see and officially open Banagher Primary Care Centre today. The people of Banagher are very proud of this facility. I would also like to acknowledge the work and commitment of the GP community here in Banagher. Dr Velma Harkins, who has recently retired, but was instrumental in the delivery of this primary care centre and Dr. Shane Carroll who has his practice and continues to work with us. We are very privileged to work in healthcare and to have an opportunity to enhance and improve how the community receives health services. The HSE are committed to advancing integrated care for Banagher and the wider Midlands area.”

Other services the centre will provide are a migrant GP service, Public Health Nursing, Social Work, Speech & Language Therapy and Counselling in Primary Care.