Doubt has been cast on expectations that HIQA will recommend a new model three hospital for Clare when its review of emergency capacity in the MidWest is published next year.
Five more Leinster House hopefuls have gone head-to-head in Clare FM’s latest General Election Debate, where discussions were dominated by health and crime.
Unsurprisingly, the ongoing overcrowding crisis at University Hospital Limerick was top of the agenda.
Clare’s Irish Freedom Party Candidate believes the immediate focus should be to enhance existing facilities at Ennis General Hospital.
Ennis Architect Michael Leahy claims the Medical Assessment Unit in Ennis is under-resourced, understaffed and leading to unnecessary admissions at UHL, he’s also calling for the Local Injury Unit to be opened to midnight.
Clare’s outgoing Fianna Fáil Senator has come out swinging on reconfiguration, stating the decision to close Ennis’ A&E in 2009 was clinical not political and was taken as qualified staff particularly consultants would not work there.
Timmy Dooley has also addressed the controversial timeline of the HIQA review, for which an interim report is due in February, but the full report won’t be presented until June 2025.
The Tulla man believes any new hospital should ideally be located off the motorway and says it’s vital the report is thorough, robust and not rushed so that it meets the needs of Clare’s growing population.
A Fine Gael Candidate and medical professional meanwhile says he won’t be holding his breath on a favourable recommendation from the regulator.
Dr Tom Nolan has proposed an alternative plan though of a publicly owned voluntary hospital, part funded by the HSE.
The Kilkee man insists he’s on a mission to restore emergency care in this county.
The closure of rural Garda stations and the amalgamation of the Clare-Tipperary Garda division has also been scrutinised.
Nine stations in this county closed as part of a new policing structure in 2013, while the recent merger means Clare now has only one Superintendent and one Chief Superintendent, where it previously had 4 altogether.
Outgoing Kilrush Independent TD Violet-Anne Wynne says the Government has made communities unsafe by failing to meet recruitment targets.
The main opposition party is calling for meaningful measures to address the crime, anti-social behaviour and low garda morale.
At the end of June, 286 Gardaí across all ranks were serving in Clare, which is 20 fewer than the figure recorded in January 2023.
Shannon Sinn Féin Candidate Councillor Donna McGettigan says this is having a knock-on effect when it comes to being prioritised for additional resources.
You can listen to the full debate here.
