Opening a kidney dialysis centre at Ennis General Hospital would save the Department of Health thousands of euro according to elected representatives of Clare County Council.

A joint motion from councillors Pat Daly, Pat McMahon and James Breen requested the local authority to ask both the HSE and Department of Health “to provide a kidney dialysis centre at Ennis General Hospital”.

Speaking at the February meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Daly claimed “up to 50 patients in Clare are on kidney dialysis” which they are treated for in Limerick and Galway, “the transport cost is enormous, €1000s is spent every week”. The Ennis councillor added, “I know a man in Kilrush who leaves at 9:30am, he gets his dialysis and is only back home at 7:30pm, you’d be over to New York in the same time. The kidney association of Clare previously looked for this and they said the old ICU would be the ideal location”. His Fianna Fáil colleague, Cllr Pat McMahon believed, “this would be a step in the right direction”.

Cllr James Breen flagged the cost involved of transporting patients via taxis. “The cost involved transporting those patients to dialysis units in Limerick and Galway is enormous. People in Kilrush and Carrigaholt receiving treatment are almost five hours on the road. The cost of taxis to and from is enormous”.

“It is another example of how disadvantaged the people of Clare are with the people in the health service,” Cllr Tom McNamara stated. He said patients are being transported by taxi three times a week to Limerick or Galway. “I will raise this at the March meeting of the HSE Forum and will try bring it up with the Minister,” the Kilmaley councillor confirmed.

Related News

Clare_World Skills 2025_NC1_8991-2
Clare contingent to compete in WorldSkills Ireland
miltown malbay aerial
Recent works in Miltown Malbay has increased level of speeding
galway greyhound stadium
Stick With Me lands feature for Gort owners
black dragon 1
Free self-protection & defence classes for women begin next week
Latest News
kilmaley v sixmilebridge 06-09-25 brian corry sean kennedy 1
Rampant Kilmaley ensure that it was a ‘Bridge too far for last year’s finalists
ballyea v clonlara 06-09-25 paul flanagan ian galvin 1
Ballyea beat Clonlara to return to Clare SHC semi-finals
newmarket-on-fergus v st josephs doora barefield 06-09-25 john feehily adam mungovan 1
Newmarket-on-Fergus overcome Doora/Barefield to seal senior status
Clare_World Skills 2025_NC1_8991-2
Clare contingent to compete in WorldSkills Ireland
miltown malbay aerial
Recent works in Miltown Malbay has increased level of speeding
Premium
Male required 80 stitches to head from West Clare knife attack by 16 year old
Cracking hurling quarter-finals capable of filling up The Park
Council Chief planning shake-up
€2m investment planned for Planet in Ennis to include Padel Court, gym & saunas
Coughlan leading candidate to become Clare U20 football manager

Advertisement

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.