It’s claimed the number of patients transferred to University Hospital Limerick by ambulance last year has proved beyond all doubt that a new Emergency Department is needed in Clare.
New HSE figures have revealed that over 24,000 service users were brought to UHL by ambulance throughout 2024.
Approximately 32,900 calls were made to the National Ambulance Services from residents in Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary last year.
75% of those required admission to University Hospital Limerick, bringing an additional 24,580 patients through its doors.
In the same timeframe it’s estimated that approximately 21,800 Clare patients attended Limerick’s Emergency Department.
HSE Regional Health Forum West member and Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard says its clear that diverting some Clare patients to the closest hospital where possible or building a new facility here would relieve serious pressure.
The news comes just days after a West Clare woman waited over 3 hours on the roadside for an ambulance following a single vehicle collision in Doonbeg.
The data also shows that just over 3.5% of last year’s calls were handled by Alternative Pathways last year and that just over 1% of calls resulted in a patients being taken to a Medical Assessment Unit in the MidWest.
Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor and HSE Regional Health Forum West Member Antoinette Baker Bashua says the need for a new ED is abundantly clear.
