Primary Care

Primary health care services are those services that are provided in the community as a point of ‘first contact’ - services such as general practice (GPs), nursing services, other community health services such as pharmacy, family planning, sexual health services and physiotherapy.

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Working with us in the community

Primary health care also includes how health professionals work with community groups to improve the health of the people in communities, preventative services, health education and disease screening.

The ‘health promotion’ aspect of primary health care involves health professionals working with families and communities on broad issues that affect their health. Examples of this are local programmes to reduce road accidents and other injury prevention; how the harm from gambling can be minimised; ensuring opportunities for recreation and sport for all children etc. Health promotion activities within primary health care generally involve partnerships with communities and other agencies such as public health, voluntary organisations and local government.