HSE South West has moved one step closer to delivering on Sláintecare and fully integrating healthcare services across Cork and Kerry.

Last year, the HSE was divided into six regions, allowing for faster decision making for the needs of different areas in Ireland.

By integrating health and social care by region, the HSE is able to take a more patient-centred approach to healthcare.

Exactly one year on, HSE South West has now launched 14 Integrated Service Delivery (ISD) teams, each responsible for delivering all health and social care services within their community

The teams will operate across three areas: Cork South and West, Cork North and East and Kerry.

This new development signals a shift to population and geographical-based healthcare services, bringing vital services closer to people that need them.

Regional Executive Officer for HSE South West, Dr Andy Phillips said that in the months ahead, the HSE will focus on embedding the new structures and will ‘establish new ways of working, to realise the full benefits of the reform for our patients and service users.’

Commenting on the development, IHA Manager for Cork South and West, Priscilla Lynch remarked that that while the new ISD teams are an important development, it was ‘just one step’ towards achieving Sláintecare reforms.