*The O’Garney River in Sixmilebridge

HSE officials have voiced their intention to proceed with the construction of a primary health care centre in Sixmilebridge.

At present, four primary care centres are proposed for the county. The facility at Station Rd in Ennis is said to be at an “advanced stage”, the Ennistymon care centre is at the priced offer stage with approval secured for a centre on the Tulla Rd in Ennis but a submission on planning permission is awaited.

Planning has been approved for a Sixmilebridge primary care centre but an issue with the sale over the identified land at Ashview Drive has halted development. A twelve month delay has been mooted for the project.

Addressing a briefing with Clare councillors, Maria Bridgeman the Chief Officer with HSE Mid West Community Healthcare admitted the current situation at Sixmilebridge was a “glitch”.

There is “huge worry” in Sixmilebridge that the centre may not go ahead, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) admitted. “We need a bit of reassurance,” he stated.

A need for the facility in Sixmilebridge was identified and that still exists, Bridgeman highlighted and acknowledged that the delay had caused concern. “We have identified the need for a primary care centre and that is the plan that it will still proceed,” she responded.

A further briefing on capitalp plans is to be held with elected representatives with the estate manager of Mid West Community Healthcare this week, the issue relating to Sixmilebridge serving as one of the reasons for the engagement.

Ongoing works as part of a €2m extension of Raheen Community Hospital were welcomed by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF). Construction of a new plant room and services compound and involves the partial demolition of existing stores building to allow for the connection and commissioning of the new services to the existing building has been underway since the end of March.

July 2021 is the scheduled start date for phase two, this will include the demolition of the remainder of the stores building followed by the construction of the bedroom block. Cllr Hayes sought a completion date for the project but was informed further detail would be circulated at the upcoming briefing.

He was also issued with the same response when querying plans for a healthcare facility in Killaloe.