Ionad Naomh Padraig in Dobhar.
BY SEÁN P. FEENY
A RESEARCH position has been filled to identify the needs for better community and health services in the greater Gweedore area.
Ionad Naomh Padraig Dobhar in partnership with Bunbeg/Derrybeg Primary Care Team have employed Helen Donoghue from Creeslough to work on the research until Christmas when an official needs assessment document will be launched.
The centre’s manager, Máire Uí Chomhaill, who is also a community representative on the Bunbeg/Derrybeg Primary Care Team, said the aim is to identify needs to benefit future planning/development of community and health services.
“We applied to the National Lottery for funding to carry out a needs assessment in the area with an aim to identify the needs between community services and health and we will be asking the people directly what they want.”
The centre will be running a series of focus groups over the next two months to include every age group and ascertain their needs, from babies, the elderly, to people with disabilities.
Ms Uí Chomhaill said: “One of the biggest problems in our area, for example, is transport. There is no public transport. People have trouble getting to workshops, such as pulmonary classes, at the centre, never mind getting to Letterkenny for hospital appointments.
“A sub committee of the Bunbeg/Derrybeg Primary Care Team identified different focus groups which will meet the coming months and we would appreciate if people can attend meetings to ensure that their needs are identified.”
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