A new directory for primary care services in the Wicklow area will be launched shortly, in advance of a national directory.
The community health networks in north and south Wicklow are working with the HSE digital team on the project, which will collate information on primary care services in the area. It will include mental health, disabilities, older persons, and health and wellbeing services and resources.
It will be the first community-focused service directory and is set to go live by the end of October, according to a HSE spokesperson.
Community Healthcare Network Manager for South Wicklow, Ms Kathy Walsh, told the Medical Independent (MI) the directory is being developed to address “a real gap for both our service users and for staff” in terms of obtaining information on primary care services.
Ms Walsh stated that the service directory will be interactive, service user friendly and will be kept up to date with the latest information on services.
“That’s a big issue,” she said. “Service directories often go out of date and then the information is not reliable. So, with HSE digital and their help, we will be able to keep it updated through HSE Live.”
The service directory working group in Wicklow has had “great support” from HSE digital in helping to collate and quality assure the data, she added.
The service directory focusing on the Wicklow area will be a pilot programme. According to Ms Dawn Tyner, Enhanced Community Care Network Manager for Wicklow North: “Our colleagues in the rest of [Community Healthcare East] including Dun Laoghaire and Dublin south-east plan to replicate the work.”
The HSE’s spokesperson told MI the service directory will be replicated in all community health networks across the country.
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