Reassurances have been made in Dáil about the county's out-of-hours service.
Clare's Labour TD has pointed to a 25% reduction in the number of GPs in North and West Clare over recent years, warning of the impact of the reduced number of doctors here.
Michael McNamara says the number of GPs in this part of the county has dropped from 20 to 15, and that it's leading to knock-on issues in other parts of the health sector.
He believes that overcrowding at our region's main hospital is at an unacceptable level and says that, in the absense of a local GP, people are being forced to call an ambulance or make their way to the emergency department for treatment.
The Labour TD was speaking during a discussion about Shannondoc services here – He's now one of a number of local representatives who have expressed concern about the amount of pressure on its services.
Deputy McNamara says the issue has arisen mainly due to a lack of doctors practicing as GPs in the area.
The HSE insists the service's Shannon Treatment Centre won't close.
Patients, who require treatment there are assigned appointment times when the Doctor is onsite and not out on house calls but there are occasions when it augments the busy Ennis centre when assistance is required.
Responding on behalf of the Health Minister, Junior Minister Paudie Coffee says a review of the service is ongoing.
