Tender process for dialysis unit at Ennis General Hospital 'progressing'

DIALYSIS patients in Clare will soon be able to avail of haemodialysis services in Ennis General Hospital.

UL Hospitals Group has advised the Department of Health that they are seeking to establish a contract for haemodialysis services with "a suitably qualified renal provider" for a contracted satellite unit in Ennis.

It is envisaged that this unit would be similar to the satellite centre already in place on the Dock Road, Limerick.

According to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, the tender process for the service in Ennis is progressing and the UHL Group has "met with a number of potential providers".

The shortlisted companies will be presenting their proposals during late August and early September. 

The minister provided this information in reply to a parliamentary question by Independent TD for Clare, Violet-Anne Wynne, who hailed it "a good news story for County Clare".

"My thoughts in particular are with the thousands of people from the County who have travelled to Limerick three times a week for dialysis since the Unit was opened in the late 1980s," Deputy Wynne stated.

At present, patients from Clare are currently seen one of the two Limerick city units. However, UL Hospitals Group has advised that they are committed to working with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the delivery of a unit in Ennis.

"In 2021, taxi costs for transporting patients from across the Mid-West rose to over €1.6 Million. This money will be far better spent developing this new unit than dragging patients from as far as Loop Head or Ballyvaughan into Limerick. This is the smart way to spend the money and I am proud to support the development of this unit," she continued.

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The tender specification document provides for four isolation rooms; a gowning area suitable for patients with blood-borne viral illnesses, including Hepatitis B, in line with national guidelines. As part of the contract, the successful company will provide the dialysis machines.

Governance of the Ennis unit would be provided by UL Hospitals Group, with a designated consultant nephrologist from the renal unit at UHL providing the overall clinical governance.

"The development of the unit in Ennis would be a positive step, and would allow patients to benefit from better quality of life by availing of treatments closer to home," Mr Donnelly said.

The development of a Clare-based unit will also ease pressure on the renal department at UHL and on the Dock Road unit.