Clare health campaigners are demanding the HSE publish in full its contingency plans to deal the wide scale retirements of front-line staff within the health service locally.

The calls come following comments from consultant obstetrician Dr. Jerry Burke, who claims lives will be lost after 47 of the 200 midwives at the Mid West Maternity Hospital retire from the end of next month.

The Health Minister has dismissed his concerns, and has accused Dr. Burke of causing anxiety.

However, Clare County Councillor James Breen says the government is not providing an adequate health service.

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