Fine Gael Minister Michael D’Arcy has announced that Wexford is to benefit from over €542,883 funding for four projects through the Sláintecare Integration Fund.

Minister D’Arcy said the projects are designed to move more care into the community and will lead to improvements for patients with chronic conditions, diabetes and heart failure, as well as supporting older people to be cared for in their own homes.

Minister D’Arcy said: “Sláintecare is our plan to reform the health service, dismantle the HSE and deliver more care close to home. This will take time but we want to start rewarding people who are embracing the Sláintecare vision and encourage everyone to think how we can provide more integrated care.

“That’s why my Fine Gael colleague Minister for Health Simon Harris established the Sláintecare Integration Fund and I am delighted we are now announcing the successful applicants with €20 million in funding for 122 projects across the country”

Wexford General Hospital is to benefit from funding of €542,883 to help enhance existing services for older people and their carers in the community and also for respiratory, COPD and Asthma for people in Wexford.  There will also funding to establish an additional pulmonary rehabilitation programme in Gorey.

Wexford is also part recipient of €1.5m funding for heart failure prevention in the form of a heart failure virtual consultation service in the community. Wexford is also to become a new pioneering site for the integrated care programme for older people which develops integrated services for older people’s health and social care needs supporting them to live well in their own home and communities.

Minister for Health Simon 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 service in Ireland.”