HSE West and North West Leading the Way in Delivering Integrated Care Closer to Home

HSE West and North West is delivering strong results and is at the forefront of integrated care closer to home under the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) Programme, with increasing numbers of patients accessing specialist services in the community and fewer requiring hospital admission.

A key reform under the Government’s Sláintecare strategy, the ECC Programme is designed to shift healthcare delivery from hospitals into community settings. By strengthening links between General Practice, Primary Care and Specialist Community Teams, patients are receiving timely, integrated treatment in their own communities.

The establishment of Health Regions and Community Healthcare Areas (CHAs) is enabling greater local decision-making and stronger integration between GPs and community-based services.

HSE West and North West is among the strongest-performing regions nationally, demonstrating the impact of the ECC model in improving access to care, reducing waiting times and easing pressure on acute hospitals.

West and North West recorded the highest level of community therapy activity in the country in 2025 YTD, with 44,700 patients seen by February 2026. This represents a 7.9% increase compared with the same period in 2025, with 41,400 patients seen, and activity running 8.5% ahead of target. Significant increases were recorded across several therapy disciplines, including Physiotherapy, which increased by 15% and Speech and Language Therapy, which increased by 4.3%.

The Integrated Care Programme for Chronic Disease (ICPCD) Community Specialist Teams (CSTs) across the region recorded the highest level of activity nationally, with 22,900 patients seen by February 2026 (YTD). This is an increase of 23% compared with February 2025, when 18,600 contacts were recorded, and activity running 10% ahead of target. Four of the region’s five Community Specialist Teams (CSTs) are performing at more than 70% of their ECC business case targets.

The Chronic Disease Specialist Team (CST) based in Sligo is the highest-performing chronic disease team in the country, recording more than 6,300 patient contacts by February 2026. This achievement reflects strong clinical and operational leadership, increased use of Healthlink digital referrals, and close collaboration with acute hospitals, GPs, Community Healthcare Networks, and local community services. Both the ICPCD and ICPOP CSTs in Sligo have been leading performers in the region, demonstrating the benefits of integrated care and effective multidisciplinary working. The Mayo chronic disease team has also experienced significant growth in activity since the introduction of Healthlink, highlighting the positive impact of digital referral pathways on service delivery and patient access.

The impact of these community-based chronic disease teams is evident in hospital admission data. Between 2019 and 2024, HSE West and North West achieved an 8.96% reduction in chronic disease hospital admissions, compared with a 4.8% increase in all other hospital admissions over the same period. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of community interventions in helping people manage chronic illnesses and avoid unnecessary hospital stays.

The Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons (ICPOP) Community Specialist Teams (CSTs) recorded 5,000 patient contacts by February 2026 (YTD), making it the second most active health region nationally. This represents an 8% increase on February 2025 and is in line with planned targets.

Regional Executive Officer for HSE West and North West, Tony Canavan, said: “The Enhanced Community Care Programme is delivering real change across HSE West and North West. By investing in stronger community-based services and improving collaboration between primary care, general practice and hospital teams, we are supporting more people to receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“This integrated approach is reducing pressure on acute hospitals while improving access and outcomes for patients across the region, ensuring people can receive high-quality, coordinated care closer to home without unnecessary delays or hospital visits.”

The performance of HSE West and North West demonstrates how investment in community services is delivering real benefits for patients and the wider health system. By expanding specialist community teams, improving digital connectivity through Healthlink, and strengthening collaboration across primary, community and hospital services, the region is helping to realise the Sláintecare vision of a more accessible, integrated and patient-centred health service for everyone.