The Health Minister has said he’ll consider a reconfiguration of hospital services in the Midwest, which could result in the return of a full-time A&E in Ennis.
Minister Simon Harris has held a meeting with the four Clare members of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum West, during which he gave reassurances on hospital services in the region.
During a meeting in Dublin yesterday with the four Clare members of the HSE forum, Minister Simon Harris has acknowledged that mistakes were made in the past in closing the A&E departments at Ennis and Nenagh prematurely.
But the Health Minister has assured that steps are being taken to address the issue of chronic overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick.
He again confirmed that the planned 60-bed modular unit will be completed by June 2020, and that construction will get underway on the long-term 96-bed unit in 2021.
Kilmaley Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom McNamara, who’s among the delegation, has told Clare FM’s Morning Focus that an upgrade of Ennis General to a Model Three Hospital may be on the cards.
If that occurred, it would allow for the return of full-time A&E care.
Calls have also been made for dialysis services in Ennis, so that Clare patients using these services, of whom there are currently 48, will no longer have to travel to Limerick for them.
The Minister’s assurances, however, come as the UL Hospitals Group has separately told the Council that such a change is not on the cards at present.
Nonetheless, confidence is now being expressed in the future of services in the midwest.
And Whitegate Fine Gael Councillor Pat Burke says they intend to continue to hold the Minister to account.
Meanwhile, Clare’s Junior Minister is expressing confidence in the scope of primary health services in this county.
It’s been confirmed that the HSE is to seek planning permission for a primary healthcare centre in Kilrush – the first of its kind in West of the county.
This builds on the four previously announced centres – two in Ennis and one each in Ennistymon and Sixmilebridge.
Fine Gael’s Pat Breen says Clare will soon be well served.
