*Ennis Hospital.
THE long-awaited Ennis haemodialysis unit is due to become operational on Monday, December 7, according to Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe.
The satellite unit will be located at the Clare Technology Park on the Gort Road in Ennis, less than two kilometres from Ennis Hospital.
Mr Crowe said the HSE had confirmed to him that the unit would officially open on December 7.
“This is hugely welcome news for Clare patients who require haemodialysis and who currently have to travel outside the county for these appointments,” he said.
“Many of these patients need multiple appointments per week and this has created a burden on patients and their families, particularly for people who may already be dealing with significant health challenges.”
The unit will facilitate 120 treatment slots per week, according to Mr Crowe, allowing patients in Clare to receive dialysis treatment closer to home.
“It will reduce unnecessary travelling and, most importantly, make life that little bit easier for people who have to undergo this treatment on an ongoing basis,” he said.
Mr Crowe said he had been raising the need for a satellite clinic in Ennis since his election to the Dáil and described delays in delivering the unit as “very frustrating and disappointing” for patients and their families.
He also said the facility was part of his wider efforts to devolve healthcare services from the University Hospital Limerick campus.
“This is exactly the type of healthcare service that we need to see developed locally – providing high-quality treatment closer to where people live and reducing the need for patients to make long journeys simply to access essential care,” he said.
Mr Crowe said December 7 would be an important date for renal care patients in Clare and that he looked forward to the unit opening.
