The new HSE Primary Care Centre for Irishtown and Ringsend opened its doors to the public on the 1st of December last.

The new centre is a two-storey replacement for the original health centre in Irishtown. It was designed by A&D Wejchert Architects as a sustainable building with a central atrium to allow lighting to central circulation and waiting areas.

The Irishtown and Ringsend Primary Care team aim to provide easier access to health services for people in the area. The team includes the GP Practices of Dr Tony O’Sullivan and Dr John Ryan, community nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work and community welfare.

Network services such as community dental services, minor surgery, visiting mental health services and addiction services are planned.

Ray Kavanagh, Acting Local Health Manager Dublin South City said: “This team will endeavour to ensure that patients receive high-quality services as close to home as possible from a team of professionals. The opening of the new Primary Care Centre shows that real progress is being made and delivered to people that matter the most, our patients.”

The Primary Care Team will serve to strengthen the primary care system in the Irishtown/ Ringsend area and play a more central role as the first and ongoing point of contact for clients within the health-care system.

They will enable patients to access services more readily and enhance the capacity for primary care in the areas of disease prevention, rehabilitation and personal social services to complement the existing diagnosis and treatment focus.

As part of the percent for Art Scheme a number of Artworks have been commissioned from the artist Bea McMahon, which are currently being produced and will be on display from June 2009.

Bea McMahon is also running a number of four-week art workshops for the local community from February which includes a women’s workshop, active retirement workshop and a workshop with the first year students in Ringsend Technical College.

For further information on the workshops, please contact Lorraine Barry at Irishtown and Ringsend Community Centre (6604789).

For further information on services provided by Irishtown and Ringsend Primary Care Team please contact the centre on 01 6608629 or call in.