*Marie McMahon of the Mid-West Hospital Campaign.
AMID ongoing frustration with the health system in the Mid-West, a ‘drive to save lives’ has been organised by a local activist group.
On Saturday (April 13th), the Mid-West Hospital Group will attempt to drive home the message to the powers that be that one emergency department for the entire region is not sufficient.
A convoy of vehicles will leave from the Clare Mart complex and head via the Clonroadmore to Clarecastle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Shannon before converging with representatives from Limerick and Tipperary to make their way to the HSE offices at Hueston Hall.
Spokeswomen for the Mid-West Hospital Group explained, “The protest is seen as an escalation in action from the group following persistent high levels of overcrowding at the hospital. It coincides with the 15th anniversary of the downgrading of Ennis, Nenagh and St Johns hospitals and the closure of A&E services. The campaign group have tried to address the issue through the Oireachtas public petitions committee but have failed to get cooperation from witnesses called to come before it.
“The Midwest hospital campaign is calling on the people of Clare to make a big effort on Saturday 13th of April to join the convoy all modes of transport welcome. The convoy will assemble at the Clare marts complex from 10:45 and leave at 11am sharp it will take the old road to Limerick. The drive to save lives is hoped to bring national attention on the very serious situation ongoing at UHL and we appeal to the people of Clare to get behind it and join us on Sat April 13th at the Clare mart complex at 11am or at any point along the route”.
