Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. I visited Ennis Hospital not that long ago and must say I was hugely impressed, especially by the work carried out by healthcare professionals in the injury unit and the medical assessment unit, MAU. We are investing at a significant rate in Ennis Hospital, including in urgent and emergency care. In 2022. I provided €2 million for the Ennis injury unit, which has gone from strength to strength. Currently, one in three unscheduled care cases received treatment in the mid-west injury units.

Last year, we allocated funding of €1.6 million to extend the opening hours of the medical assessment unit in Ennis. In February of last year, a 999 pathway was introduced for the medical assessment unit. This allows for the transfer of patients who meet the agreed clinical criteria for treatment in Ennis

In June of last year we launched the Pathfinder service, which I know is very important and has been welcomed by the Deputy's constituents. It was extended to Clare. It helps the NAS support older people living at home. All of these measures have been put in place to alleviate the pressures on people in Clare seeking urgent care and by association, the very significant pressures we are all aware of in University Hospital Limerick.

I am very aware of the calls for a full emergency department to be opened in Ennis. To that end, I spoke directly with the chief clinical officer. We will both be aware that the clear clinical advice over many years has been that it would not be safe to open an emergency department in Ennis. The thing to do is to invest in the injury unit and in the MAU. In my response, I can give the Deputy some of the response I got back recently from the chief clinical officer on the issue she has raised.

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