A prominent Clare Health Campaigner says a new CSO report proves it’s time to “bite the bullet” and deliver an air ambulance base for the west of the county.
The ‘Average Distance to Services in Ireland 2026’ report, published this week, found Kilrush is the furthest town from an Emergency Department in Ireland.
The average Kilrush resident faces a journey of 76km to University Hospital Limerick, which is the longest journey faced by anyone living in a town of over 1,500 people nationwide.
The settlement of Killballyowen, meanwhile, nestled between Kilbaha and Carrigaholt was found to have the fifth longest journey of any area in the country at 104km.
The findings come as no surprise to healthcare campaigners here, but have sparked a renewed call for action.
Former HSE Regional Health Forum West member and Loop Head native Cillian Murphy believes it’s time to bite bullet of delivering an air ambulance service along the West coast.
The CSO did not include seasonal variations in its report, which would significantly change the populations of Kilkee, Lahinch, Miltown Malbay, Lisdoonvarna, Ennistymon and more areas during the Summer months.
HSE Regional Health Forum MidWest member and Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard says more services and acute beds are urgently needed locally to offset the challenges.
You can listen to the full interview below.
