22/07/2026
The South West GP Federation and the Western Trust have announced the official launch of the much‑anticipated, Multi‑Disciplinary Team (MDT) Service across GP practices in the region. The launch marks a significant milestone in the transformation of primary care and forms part of the wider £61 million investment in GP services announced by the Minister of Health in March 2025.
As part of this five‑year programme, the South West GP Federation will introduce four whole‑time equivalent (WTE) Senior Mental Health Practitioners and the Western Health and Social Care Trust will deploy four WTE First Contact Physiotherapists during the first year of rollout.
The four Senior Mental Health Practitioners will initially be based across three hubs: Erne Health Centre, Omagh Hospital & Primary Care Complex, and Lisnaskea Medical Centre, with outreach arrangements in place for Rathmore, Belleek. This interim model ensures equitable access for all patients while recruitment continues. As additional practitioners join the service, the longer-term plan is that they will be deployed directly into GP practices, allocated proportionately based on patient population bringing care closer to home.
The four First Contact Physiotherapists will be deployed across practices from the outset, with the expectation that all practices will gain access to FCP sessions as rollout plans progress.
The Federation has also confirmed that Social Workers and Social Work Assistants are expected to join the MDT in the latter part of 2026, further strengthening the range of services available to patients and enhancing the multidisciplinary support offered across the South West.
Welcoming the launch, Dr Wright, the Chair of the South West GP Federation, said:
“Today is a pivotal moment in our MDT journey. We have worked tirelessly with all partners and lobbied hard to reach this point—having new Mental Health Practitioners and FCPs on the ground serving our patient community. It is a testament to all involved, and we know our new colleagues will be much‑welcomed and valued additions to our practice teams, providing much‑needed access for our South West patient population.”
Dr Wright acknowledged that progress has taken longer than hoped, but emphasised the significance for rural communities:
“While the pace of rollout has been slower than expected, this development is hugely welcome for all patients in the South West, where rural geography makes accessing services so much more challenging. Having local services available closer to our patients is a triumph for everyone involved.”
Dr Maura O’Neill, Director of Community and Older People’s Services, Western Trust, said:
“The launch of the MDT Service across the South West is a significant and welcome step forward in strengthening primary care services for our local population. By bringing specialist mental health and physiotherapy support closer to patients’ homes, we are improving access to the right care, at the right time and in the right place. This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to developing modern, patient-centred services and meeting the health needs of our communities. We have worked closely with GP colleagues and partners to reach this important milestone, and the Trust looks forward to continuing that collaboration as the MDT model develops further and additional services are introduced in the years ahead.”
The introduction of MDT services is expected to enhance access, reduce pressure on GP appointments, and provide earlier intervention for mental health and musculoskeletal concerns—key priorities for improving patient outcomes across the region.