St. Joseph’s Speculation ‘Impacting Public Confidence’ – HSE

The head of Community Healthcare for the HSE MidWest has told Clare County Councillors that continued speculation about the future of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Ennis is causing a significant issue of public confidence.

Bernard Gloster has also confirmed that it is the HSE’s preferred option to develop a new residential facility for older people to replace St. Joseph’s, and that this will be in Ennis.

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In a letter seen by Clare FM, Bernard Gloster has responded to a motion recently passed by Clare County Councillors in which they call on the HSE and Minister for Health to rule out replacing St. Joseph’s with a new regional facility in Limerick.

His letter echoes recent comments made by Mr. Gloster on Clare FM, and states that the HSE is of the view that a new facility on a greenfield site represents the best option, as health officials look to bring facilities up to standard by 2021.

Mr. Gloster explicitly states that this will be in Ennis, and that St. Joseph’s itself will be re-developed if the greenfield option is not possible.

The letter also states that anyone suggesting otherwise is putting forward a view that “is not in the public interest”, and one which is not backed up by any factual evidence.

He also goes onto tell local representatives that this speculation about St. Joseph’s is causing a “significant” public confidence issue, and that he’s concerned about the impact of this on members of the public.

Following a court settlement with HIQA, the HSE must carry out upgrade works to bring older people residential care up to standard by 2021, either at St. Joseph’s or on a new site.