It’s claimed a properly resourced primary care centre is desperately needed in West Clare.
It comes as new data has found people in Clare, on average, must travel further for treatment than any other county in Ireland.
The Central Statitics Office found those in Clare must travel an average of 17.1km to visit a primary care centre.
According to the CSO, people in Kilrush must travel 43km for primary care, with Shannon and Killaloe residents travelling 20km for treatment, each considerably more than the national average.
People in Clare are also facing average travel distances of 39km and 37km to an emergency or maternity department respectively.
HSE Regional Health Forum Midwest member, Shannonbanks Sinn Féin Councillor, James Ryan, says an adequate primary care centre in West Clare would greatly relieve pressure on the health service.
It’s claimed promises for the delivery of a primary care centre in Kilrush have been broken.
In 2019, the town was identified by the HSE as the location for the construction of a new primary care centre.
Friends of Ennis Hospital spokesperson, Deirdre Culligan, says the current facility in the town cannot cope with demand.
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