Health Minister Edwin Poots visited Saintfield Health Centre to see at first hand the important role that family doctors and their practices play within the local community.
The Minister took time to tour the Centre on Tuesday 14 August and speak with the Practice Manager, partners and staff providing community services at the Health Centre.
During his visit, Minister Poots said: “The role of general practice has changed considerably over the last number of years and will play an essential part in delivering real reform to health and social care here in Northern Ireland as Part of Transforming Your Care (TYC).
“The TYC model of integrated care is designed with the individual at the centre with services built around them. The system will join together a full range of services to deliver care closer to home where appropriate, which will reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.”
As well as the GP practice, Saintfield Health Centre also accommodates a range health and social services, including district nursing, health visitors, social work, podiatry and physiotherapy.
The Minister added: “Partnership across the various providers in primary and community care is essential for the effective delivery of health care to patients. The team at this practice is an excellent example of the advantages to be gained from close integrated working between GP’s and community services.”
