West Belfast to benefit from new GP practice-based Multi-Disciplinary Teams
The next phase in the transformation of GP care has been announced, with West Belfast the latest area to benefit from a major new health service initiative.
The West Belfast roll-out of a new Multi-Disciplinary Teams, will see nine physiotherapists, a service manager, and a project manager recruited to support the needs of patients – in addition to the care provided by GPs - at a number of surgeries.
Funding was announced earlier this year for Multi- Disciplinary Team (MDT) investment in both Derry/Londonderry and Down. Given the positive response to recruitment in these areas, the decision has been taken to move ahead in West Belfast as well.
This is part of the transformation funding for primary care announced in May and will allow local people to get the care they need, when they need it, from the right people with the right skills.
Announcing the investment, Department of Health Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly said: “This extension of the Multi-Disciplinary Team approach will help radically reform the way services are delivered. It aligns with the vision set out within, ‘Health and Wellbeing 2026: Delivering Together’, which is about putting the person and their needs at the centre of our service delivery.
“It is our hope that this approach will mean that patients can be seen more quickly, helping with earlier intervention and, as a result, reduce the need for referrals and pressure on our hospital services.”
Dr George O’Neill from the West Belfast GP Federation said: “This is a very welcome development. The MDT model is transformation in action. It’s about changing the way we do things - to the benefit of service users and all those who work in primary care.
“Amid all the serious pressures on health and social care, it’s always important to remember that there are many positives as well. The MDT initiative is a good news story."
Speaking about today’s announcement that multi-disciplinary teams are to be rolled out into west Belfast, Dr Alan Stout, chair of the BMA Northern Ireland GP Committee (NIGPC) said:
“We are pleased that the MDT programme is now going to be rolled out to practices in west Belfast.
“This model – where services that can really help patients like physiotherapy and mental health services are based in the GP surgery – benefits both patients and GPs.
“For some time we have been highlighting the many issues facing general practice including ever increasing workload. Developments like this help make sure that GPs are only seeing patients they really need to see and improve the daily working lives of GPs and improve care and access for patients.
“We look forward to seeing this initiative continue to roll out across all of Northern Ireland.”