14th February 2025
Patients of Portrush Medical Centre now have access to physiotherapy, mental health and social care services, alongside traditional GP services, thanks to a recent £0.4m extension to the premises.
The extension and reconfiguration was funded by the Primary Care Infrastructure Team in the Department of Health (DoH) and developed in conjunction with the practice.
Consulting room – Dr Donnelly
Martin Hayes, Programme Director said: “Supporting investment in GP practices is a key priority for the DoH. Approximately £6.4 million of funding has been provided across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area in the last 6 years, to increase capacity within primary care premises. I was delighted to visit the practice to see and hear about the significant benefits of the investment. This is a positive step in future proofing services for the Portrush area.”
The extension created additional clinical consulting rooms for the roll out of multidisciplinary team (MDT) services.
This means patients can now see different specialists within the GP practice such as physiotherapists, social workers, mental health practitioners and pharmacists, reducing the need for referrals and appointments elsewhere.
MDTs help meet the social, physical and mental health wellbeing needs of the local population while providing care closer to people’s homes.
Dr Liz Donnelly said, “This is a much better working environment. The extension means we can continue to provide a wide range of services to the local population, including improved access to physio, mental health, social care services.”
A patient Lynne Johnston said “It is great for these new additional services provided, the building works have given the surgery more space and has a lovely environment”.
Roberta, Joyce & Julie – Receptionists
Practice pharmacist, Jenny Chartres said, “We have an excellent working space now and this has given me the opportunity to see patients face to face.”
In advance of the project, the practice’s clinical rooms were identified to be operating at close to full capacity. The new-build extension and reconfiguration of existing accommodation were completed in February 2023.