Midwest Hospital Campaign want judicial review of planned site for new hospital in Limerick

The preference of the campaign group was to have this second hospital in Clare or Tipperary

Maire McMahon (right) of the Midwest Hospital Campaign said: 'I feel shafted, I feel we have been played.' File picture: Brendan Gleeson

The Midwest Hospital Campaign is considering a judicial review challenge to the decision to buy a new hospital site in Limerick.

The site announced on Tuesday is less than five minutes’ drive from University Hospital Limerick. It was bought at a cost of €14m in response to warnings from health watchdog Hiqa of immediate patient safety risks linked to overcrowding at UHL.

The campaign group has long advocated for a second hospital with an emergency department in HSE Midwest which covers Limerick, Clare and north Tipperary.

Its preference was to have this second hospital in Clare or Tipperary. It has also called for investment in Ennis and Nenagh hospitals.

Marie McMahon of the campaign said: “I feel shafted, I feel we have been played.” She was very surprised the announcement was made without involvement of patient groups even on the day.

Now the Clare branch of the campaign is considering its next steps.

“People were disrespected, I feel people were not treated fairly,” she said, pointing out many people across the three counties have been involved in the campaign.

“Let’s face it, we wouldn’t be where we are today if it hadn’t been for the people. People were constantly out there, and not giving up. I feel really bad for them that we weren’t listened to. 

“We are going to judicial review, that is the plan.” 

This is a legal process allowing people or groups to challenge decisions or omissions made by public bodies. The HSE would fall under this as would government departments involved in the decision-making or local authorities if relevant.

The courts can examine the process involved in decision-making but would not examine whether the decision is the right one.

Ms McMahon said they are aware this could be an expensive process, adding the campaign is being supported by people familiar with the judicial review process.

“We can question the decision, it should have been transparent,” she said.

The site was announced on Tuesday by health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

(Left to right) Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Lord Mayor of Limerick John Moran and HSE CEO Bernard Gloster at the announcement of the acquisition by the HSE of land at Raheen, Limerick. Picture: Don Moloney

The 44-acre site, she said, “provides a significant opportunity to provide meaningful additional capacity and health services to the people of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary".

A project board will examine which services can be moved to the new site or smaller hospitals in Ennis, Nenagh or St John’s hospitals.

“I will be returning to Government later this year with a strategic plan for the services of the region,” she said.

She also said: “I look forward to continuing to engage with the many patient advocates, public representatives and healthcare teams to improve services across the Mid-West region.”