'Unacceptable': Renewed push for a new hospital in Clare despite no 'immediate action'

Fresh calls have been made for County Clare to be included in the next phase of acute hospital development in the Mid-West.

Clare councillors expressed disappointment after Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill announced that a new hospital will be built elsewhere in the region.

They noted that “a hospital in County Clare is not included as an immediate action, despite well-documented challenges faced by communities in West, North and East Clare in accessing timely emergency care.”

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At the December meeting of Clare County Council, councillors Rita McInerney, Michael Shannon, Shane Talty, Joe Killeen, David Griffin, and Rachel Hartigan renewed their calls through a joint motion.

While acknowledging the proposed improvements to University Hospital Limerick (UHL), Fianna Fáil councillor Rita McInerney said the “unacceptable ambulance response time” means emergency care may be out of reach for those living in remote parts of the county.

She added that “if there is the possibility for a hospital in Clare, we [the council] must ensure that the county is ready.”

In their motion, Clare councillors urged recognition that “Option B [of the HIQA review] offers a critical and time-sensitive opportunity to secure acute hospital infrastructure within the Clare boundary.”

They called on the Executive to identify at least two suitable sites in the county, within 20–30 minutes of University Hospital Limerick, with access to the motorway, wastewater capacity, and electricity connectivity.

Also requesting direct engagement with HSE Estates, landowners, and relevant agencies to confirm feasibility and accelerate preparatory work, and to report back to elected members before Christmas.

Highlighting the urgency, councillors stressed that the work must begin immediately to ensure Clare is not excluded from the next phase of acute hospital development in the Mid-West.

Cllr Michael Shannon said that Ennis has all of the "fundamental" HSE requirements to be selected as the location for a new "specialised acute hospital."

Councillors Joe Killeen and Rachel Hartigan noted the long ambulance wait times in various areas of the county, with Cllr Hartigan highlighting these are the "lived realities for families when the minutes really matter."

Fianna Fail councillor Tom O'Callaghan expressed his "want to see better medical for our people", describing the motion as a "great" step.

Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle expressed "hopefully we build that hospital some day in County Clare", Cllr Pat Hayes had the same hope but stated "it is my view when we build a hospital in Ennis, a lot of us will not be in this [council] chamber anymore."

In a written reply to the motion, Jason Murphy, Director of Service for Planning, Economic, Rural and Community Development, said that the council has considered potential sites against a "matrix of criteria", and confirmed that consideration of all sites remains ongoing and sensitive at this stage.

Mr Murphy said that the council have directly engaged with the HSE property division in relation to the potential sites and the notice of motion from this meeting.

He explained that a HSE representative noted how the HSE and Clare County Council "continue to work together as key partner agencies", and acknowledged the "ongoing concern regarding the matter of the provision of medical services and facilities in the county."  

They further outlined that following the recent HIQA Report "the matter is under review by the Minister for Health and various options for the way forwards are being considered at government level."

It was also requested that Clare County Council "share all the details of the potential sites that have been identified" as it will all the HSE "to be informed and move more quickly once decisions have been made and a path forward identified."