Campaigners Demand New Hospital in Clare for Urgent Care Access

A group advocating for a new hospital in Clare is taking its message directly to Limerick’s Minister for Public Expenditure, Patrick O’Donovan. The Friends of Ennis Hospital group has announced plans to “bring West Clare to the Minister” if he does not visit the region himself. Their campaign responds to alarming statistics indicating that University Hospital Limerick (UHL) has once again set a record for emergency department (ED) visits, with 95,373 patients attending in 2025. This figure represents an increase of 8,000 patients from the previous year, underscoring the persistent strain on hospital staff.

The Friends of Ennis Hospital welcomed the government’s decision to consider all three options proposed by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for improving emergency healthcare in the Mid West. These options include expanding operations at UHL, establishing a new facility offsite, and constructing a new Model 3 hospital with an accompanying ED in the region. Despite this progress, campaigners expressed concern about the rising patient numbers, which have increased by an average of over 4,700 annually since 2021. They predict that ED attendances could surpass 100,000 in 2026, a staggering figure that would far exceed those of any other hospital in the country.

The group emphasized the need for a new hospital in Clare, stating, “We firmly believe that the Option B campus needs to be located in Clare.” They expressed disappointment at Minister O’Donovan’s remarks made on Limerick radio on December 23, 2025, where he suggested local representatives should not be “pitching sites for their own four crossroads.”

In response, campaigners noted that not all residents are fortunate enough to live within 50 kilometers of an acute hospital. They highlighted that over 30,000 Clare residents are forced to seek emergency care outside of Clare each year, which raises serious concerns about accessibility for those in urgent need of treatment.

The Friends of Ennis Hospital remain resolute in their mission, stating, “We as a campaign remain committed to the fight for a hospital in Clare for Clare.” They are prepared to take further action if Minister O’Donovan does not engage with their concerns, indicating plans to actively promote the needs of West Clare in the coming weeks.

This campaign highlights the critical need for improved healthcare infrastructure in Clare, where the increasing demand for emergency services poses significant challenges for both patients and healthcare providers. As the situation evolves, the Friends of Ennis Hospital aim to ensure that their voices are heard and that the necessary steps are taken to address the urgent healthcare needs of the community.