122 Health Projects Awarded Share Of €20m Govt Fund

The Department of Health has today named the successful applicants of the €20 million Sláintecare Integration Fund.

Over 477 projects applied for the Integration Fund and 122 projects from across the country were successful.

The successful projects meet the goals outlined under Sláintecare, which include:

• demonstrate innovative ways in which citizens can engage in their own health;

• represent best practice in the management of chronic diseases and caring for older people, and;

• encourage innovations in shift of care to the community or promote hospital avoidance.

Speaking at the launch of the Integration Fund today, Minister Harris said: "These projects show how joined-up thinking and working in partnership can help us reach Sláintecare's goals of shifting the majority of care to the community, reducing waiting lists and improving experiences for patients and staff across the health and social care system in Ireland. I look forward to seeing the end results of these projects and how they might be scaled up."

The successful projects are in more than 100 locations right across the country, with partners including hospital groups, Community Health Organisations, Community and Voluntary Organisations, Universities and Primary Care Centres. Many successful projects will be delivered in partnership between hospitals and CHOs, or hospitals and community organisations, highlighting the emphasis on integrated care and shifting care to the community.

Laura Magahy, Sláintecare Executive Director, welcomed the development. She said: "The Sláintecare Integration Fund projects will test new ways in which we can bring care closer to home, including putting the patient at the centre of service design and delivery. The standard of applications we received across all categories was of an exceptional standard, and the successful projects exemplify how we can work in partnership to deliver the Sláintecare vision of the right care in the right place at the right time."



(JG/CM)