O’Shea Welcomes Establishment of Integrated Care Hub for Older People in North Cork

Cork North West Fine Gael TD Deputy John Paul O’Shea has welcomed the establishment of the Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons (ICPOP) Hub in North Cork, which will be based in Mallow, saying it will deliver faster, closer-to-home care for older people with complex needs and frailty.

Deputy O’Shea said “This is a very positive step for North Cork. The Mallow ICPOP Hub will give older people rapid access to specialist multidisciplinary assessment and support—helping them stay safe and well at home and reducing unnecessary hospital admissions. I want to acknowledge the HSE South West for moving to recruit the team and to progress interim governance so the service can ‘stand up’ over the coming weeks while the appointment of the Consultant Geriatrician for the Hub is finalised”.

Deputy O’Shea added “Families across North Cork know how difficult it can be when an older relative is at risk of a fall, living with frailty or dementia, and needs quick, coordinated care. The ICPOP hub brings together Consultant Geriatricians, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, dietitians and rehab assistants to deliver exactly that. Crucially, access is via a person’s GP, including for residents of nursing homes and residential care facilities.”

The Mallow hub will complement existing ICPOP hubs already operational in Cork South, Cork North City and Kerry, alongside a satellite hub in Bantry that is currently in development. These hubs form part of the Sláintecare Implementation Plan model of integrated care, now being embedded across the health service.

“Today’s announcement is about bringing care closer to people’s homes, relieving pressure on Emergency Departments and hospital wards, and giving older people the dignity of timely, specialist care in their own communities. I’ll continue to work with the HSE to see the Mallow service fully established and to ensure strong links with local GPs and community services in the area”, concluded Deputy O’Shea.