TAOISEACH Enda Kenny has lauded the opening of the new Mayo Medical Academy at GMIT, Castlebar, as a central element to his government’s reform programme for the health service.

Speaking at yesterday’s (Monday) official opening of the facility, which has received its first batch of 20 students, Deputy Kenny said the health system faces enormous challenges with a growing elderly population, with projected increases in the burden of chronic diseases, and in the context of significant constraints on financial resources.

He stated: “To meet these challenges, the way in which health care is delivered must constantly adapt and change, and there is a major programme of reform underway led by the Minister for Health, James Reilly.

“The training of future generations of healthcare professionals will be key to ensuring the success of these reforms, and this will require ongoing collaborative working and interaction between our health and education sectors.

“The Mayo Medical Academy, headed by Dr. Kevin Barry, is a commendable example of what can be achieved through such collaborative working.

“The role the academy can play in the reform of our health system, by equipping our healthcare graduates with the core skills needed to give effect to our new vision for healthcare delivery, cannot be underestimated.”