County Clare's only Local Health Office could be closed under the HSE’s regionalisation plan, which is expected to finally “take shape” this autumn.In an interview with Irish Medical News, Mr Liam Woods, HSE’s National Director of Finance confirmed that the HSE is being divided into four regions – Dublin Mid-Leinster, Dublin North-East, West and South – under the plan and said that the current number of local health offices could be reduced.
Clare's sole local health office is located at Tobartaoscain in Ennis. The office looks after communities across Clare and provides a wide range of services either from the Local Health Office in Ennis, or through the Health Centres in Carrigaholt, Clarecastle, Ennistymon, Kildysart, Kilkee, Kilmihil, Kilrush, Lisdoonvarna, Scariff, Shannon, Sixmilebridge, Tulla and Kilmaley. It is unclear whether these services would be affected by the closure or Clare Local Health Centre.
Mr. Woods told IMN: “I think by this autumn the shape will be there.... There is still discussion ongoing about what the subdivision of the four areas will be. There are 32 local health offices currently, but whether there will be the same number at the end of this remains to be seen.” He confirmed the HSE has begun the recruitment process for the heads of the four areas, which he said the HSE expects to come from its current ranks. The posts have been advertised internally and are due to be filled by the autumn.
