ICPOP enhancing quality of life for older people across the Mid West

The HSE Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons (ICPOP) is transforming care for thousands of older people across the Mid West, with access to integrated specialist care and support that’s tailored to their individual needs.

ICPOP is a bridge between the region’s GPs and acute hospital services, with hubs in Limerick, Clare (Ennis) and North Tipperary (Thurles), providing specialist assessment and support for over-75s with a range of challenges, including frailty, falls, changes in memory or mobility, and reduced independence.

The service offers alternatives to hospital admission, with multidisciplinary teams delivering specialist care tailored to comprehensive individual physical assessment and  medication reviews, which gauge how the person manages at home (including social circumstances, mobility, bone health, memory, mood and ability to speak or swallow). ICPOP is for over-75s, with some exceptions on a case- by-case basis if all other criteria are met.

In 2025, the three ICPOP hubs were accessed by a total of 2,774 patients in this region with complex needs and requiring specialist assessment and outpatient rehabilitation.

Case Study: North Tipperary ICPOP team

Operating from Community Hospital of the Assumption in Thurles since November 2021, the North Tipperary ICPOP multidisciplinary team includes an Operational Team Lead, Administration Staff Officer, Medical Consultant, Advanced Nurse Practitioners in Frailty and Gerontology; a Medical Registrar; a Case Manager; a Clinical Nurse Specialist; Multitask Assistants; a Senior Occupational Therapist; a Senior Physiotherapist, and a Senior Speech and Language Therapist.

In 2025, the North Tipperary team carried out 1,150 diagnostic tests, and completed 5,400 reviews, including home visits and virtual consultations. Approximately 70% of referrals to the North Tipperary team come from GPs, and 30% from hospital services including the Frailty at the Front Door (FFD) team in the Emergency Department, Geriatric Medicine Outpatients, and Acute Inpatients. Due to its location in Thurles, referrals to North Tipperary ICPOP are also received from hospital services in the neighbouring two healthcare regions (HSE Dublin & Midlands and HSE Dublin & South East).

One recent service-user, Nenagh man Jim Brophy, began attending North Tipperary ICPOP on referral from his GP, after his mobility was severely impacted from painful cramps. “Before experiencing the care of ICPOP,” Jim said, “I would not have believed I could feel such a huge improvement in my mobility in such a short time.”

Jim explained:

"The ICPOP team is offering a very valuable service to those of us advancing in years. I had a wonderful experience." Jim concluded.

Ger Keary, Operational Team Lead of North Tipperary ICPOP, said: “Jim’s very kind words are typical of the affirming feedback we frequently receive from service users in North Tipperary. This helps to motivate and enhance the team members. This in turn has encouraged further research and the development of pathways for patients, including vestibular (balance) assessments, and cognitive stimulation groups. Over the past four years, we’ve seen very positive outcomes for our patients. Helping service users to improve and maintain their everyday lives is very rewarding for the team.”

The existence of ICPOP in the community has ensured access for North Tipperary residents to cutting-edge innovations in healthcare. For example, patients who have difficulties with swallowing can access Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing, previously only available in acute hospitals, and now available regionally. And for those who are experiencing deterioration in speech, the Tipperary team has begun using professional AI voice cloning to store copies of their clients’ voices so they use software to communicate using their own voices.

ICPOP hubs are available in Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary. For more information on ICPOP, speak with your GP or consultant.