The HSE is being called on to provide a new site for St Joseph’s Hospital in Ennis so that services there can be expanded.
It’s one of two options currently being considered for the future of the public care facility, which will undergo a major redevelopment by the end of 2021.
HSE MidWest is concerned that redeveloping the current facility will be too costly as Clare FM’s James Mulhall reports:
St Joseph’s Hospital in Ennis is one of a number of facilities that the HSE is required to bring up to standard by the end of 2021.
HIQA last year put restrictions on new admissions at the care facility after a report by the Health Authority raised concerns about the living conditions of residents there.
In a first of its kind legal case, the HSE challenged that decision and the restriction was removed and now focus is turning to the future of the hospital.
Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey is hopeful that a new site will be chosen.
As part of the redevelopment, 50 of the long-stay beds at St Joseph’s Hospital are to be replaced.
HSE MidWest is concerned that if work is carried out on the existing site on Lifford Road, other services will be displaced and in turn would lead to higher costs.
This has led the health service examining the possibility of moving to a new site altogether, and a decision is due to be made in the coming four weeks.
Former Cathaoirleach of Clare County COuncil, Independent Ennis Councillor James Breen says by doing this, standards at the hospital would be improved.
