The HSE says it won't re-open the Accident and Emergency department at Ennis General Hospital for the duration of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
It follows a request by the Fleadh's Executive Committee to "consider providing extended opening hours" to accept "minor injuries from ambulances" or "the provision of an Emergency Department for the duration of the event."
With 400,000 people expected to descend on Ennis for the traditional music festival next week, the Fleadh Executive Committee had requested that the HSE consider an extension of services at Ennis General Hospital.
But the UL Hospital’s Group has said that a 'temporary' Emergency Department won't be provided for the period of the Fleadh.
In addition to Emergency Medicine Consultants and Nurses, a fully functioning Emergency Department requires the support of Diagnostics, ICU, HDU, Surgery, Anaesthetics and Cardiology, which it says wouldn't be possible on a temproary basis.
Provisions have been made in the Fleadh Medical Plan, together with local GPs and Shannondoc to deal with major injury or illness and transfer to the ED in Limerick will be managed under the guidance of National Ambulance Service personnel.
The HSE has added that Ennis General Hospital is equipped to deal minor injuries for patients over the age of 5 at its Local Injury Unit and it's also reminding people that the Medical Assessment Unit is now operating 7 days a week.
