A Clare-based MEP believes the only avenue left to secure a new hospital in this county is for people to take to the streets.
It comes as HSE MidWest has made a submission to HIQA indicating that a new emergency department is not needed in the region.
HIQA’s review of emergency and urgent care capacity in the MidWest has been ongoing since last September and its findings are expected to be published in the coming days.
In that time activists, politicians, campaign groups and members of the public have been making their submissions on how the persistent overcrowding in the region can be solved.
Now, one of the biggest stakeholders, HSE MidWest, it’s understood has revealed at a briefing of elected representatives that it’s against another Emergency Department in the region, citing staffing difficulties.
Scariff-based Independent MEP Michael McNamara says its an inexplicable decision.
You can listen to the full interview here:
The HSE is, however, recommending enhancements to local injury and medical assessment units at model two hospitals and expanding the UHL site.
As of this morning, meanwhile, the Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation has recorded 102 patients on trolley’s at UHL, making it by far the busiest facility in the country and accounts for 25% of all patients without a bed nationwide today.
Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan says regardless of what HIQA recommends, they’ll continue to fight for a Clare ED.
