A local lobby group has slammed the Taoiseach for ruling out reopening the emergency department at Ennis General Hospital to tackle overcrowding in Limerick.
Speaking during his visit to Clare on Friday, Leo Varadkar insisted we can’t go back to the health system of 20 years ago.
But his comments have been met with anger.
During his visit to the county last Friday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told Clare FM that he didn’t support the return of full-time A&E care to Ennis
Int he wake of record overcrowding in Dooradoyle last week, he said he supported the centres of excellence model that led to a reconfiguration of services in the MidWest ten years ago.
Though time has passed, the pressure remains for this decision to be reversed, with those who support such a move arguing that it would alleviate overcrowding at Dooradyole.
Leo Varadkar insisted it wasn’t the correct approach however.
In the wake of these comments, a local lobby group have stepped up their campaign to increase services in Ennis, including the return of an A&E Unit.
They’re appealing on elected politicians, and all local election candidates in Clare to support their call.
Deirdre Culligan from Kilrush, a member of Friends of Ennis General Hospital, says it’s vital to have an A&E in Ennis.
Meanwhile, health matters are expected to be to the fore again later today when Clare Councillors hold their monthly meeting.
A motion of no confidence in Minister Simon Harris, that has been deferred in each of the past three meetings, is set to be debated once more.
