I had an opportunity on Monday morning last to see at first hand the new Tuam Primary Care Centre along with HSE staff and local public representatives. I also had an opportunity to see the new Tuam Ambulance Base which is now operating on a 24/7 basis.
The new Primary Care Centre in Tuam will serve a population of over 20,000 people, and the 2016 census showed an increase of almost 15% on the previous figures from 2006. The Tuam Primary Care centre will include public health nurses, community general nurses, physiotherapist, dieticians and occupational therapists and they will work in conjunction with local GPs. Other services will include speech and language therapy and home help co-ordinators.
Work on the new centre is now entering the final phase, which will involved stone cladding to the front face of the building. Plastering and cladding is almost complete and work is now underway on the outside of the building. The internal fit out is well underway, with mechanical and electrical installation now underway.
Speaking at the preview, I said, ‘Today is a very important day for me as a TD in the local Tuam area to see first-hand the investment by the HSE and the government in providing additional and much-needed services in the Tuam and north Galway area.
‘I think the building is an excellent structure and I would like to compliment everyone involved including designers, building contractors and the HSE. The message here is that we are developing a full health campus here in Tuam and I look forward to the old Grove hospital being renovated as well to form a mental health day hospital and to provide disability services there. I also look forward to the community nursing unit being upgraded. This represents about a €45 million investment in health services in Tuam. The momentum is there now with these developments to create alternatives in the community and a potential reduction in people presenting at emergency departments.’