The Health and Social Care Board has invested more than £1.9 million in GP practices in the Southern area since 2018, with the main aim of increasing capacity in primary care.
In July this year, Dromore Doctors Surgery relocated to new premises at Skeagh House. The former residential home has undergone significant refurbishment to facilitate the relocation of the practice to fit for purpose accommodation. The new building includes 10 consultation rooms, a treatment suite, interview/ therapy rooms, improved reception and patient waiting area as well as increased staff and office space.
Elaine Hunter, Programme Director for Primary Care Infrastructure Development at the Health and Social Care Board, said “Supporting investment in GP practices is a key priority for the Health and Social Care Board. This development will help to secure continued delivery of GP led services to the growing population of the Dromore area and allows for a more comprehensive range of services to be delivered closer to where patients live”.
Leonita McNeilly, Practice Manager, articulated some of the benefits of the development: “The increased space in the practice has been vital in enabling us to continue to offer essential practice services to our patients. Reconfiguring the space has eased the running of the practice and ensures visits to the centre are carried out in a safe manner. Patients also commented that it’s also nice to be able to sit down again in a lovely new waiting area. Practice staff are delighted with the new bright and spacious accommodation including the new shared areas, greater office space and more storage facilities for equipment and supplies have meant everyone can move more freely and has improved working practices in general.”
The Health and Social Care Board’s investment in primary care facilities in the southern area continues through a rolling programme of investment. This investment will result in significantly increased capacity in services such as physiotherapy, pharmacy, nursing, mental health services and for training new GP recruits.
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