Speaking at the event, which was attended by over 200 GPs, community nurses, physiotherapists, and other community-based healthcare providers, Mr O’Brien said that “Ireland needs to move to a primary care-led model” and that this would “reduce the overall cost of healthcare”.
However, he said “we simply don’t have the transitional budget to deliver that”.
A host of national and international speakers addressed the conference, including Dr Paul Grundy, Global Director of Healthcare Transformation, IBM Corporation; Mr Richard Corbridge, HSE Chief Information Officer; and Dr Nwando Olayiwola, Director of the Centre for Excellence in Primary Care, US.
Mr Chris Goodey, Chairman of the Primary Care Partnership, commented: “This is the biggest ever conference of primary care practitioners to be held in Ireland, and over the last two days the consistent message that has been voiced and echoed by speakers and attendees alike is that a primary care, GP-led system is key to solving hospital waiting lists.”
The next issue of the<em><strong> Medical Independent </strong></em>(4 February) will have full coverage of the Primary Care Partnership Conference.
