Clare patient’s death - Majority are subsidising the few

The death yesterday of Ian McDonnell, 59, raises further serious questions about the state of our health service.

The father of three suffered a cardiac arrest as he was being rushed to hospital in Limerick, because the A&E facilities at Ennis General Hospital are closed between 8pm and 8am.

Is the HSE suggesting the people of Clare should plan their accidents and emergencies to convenience the health service? Members of the late Mr McDonnell’s family believe he might have been saved if he had been treated in Ennis. His doctor stopped short of that conclusion, but he did say that the HSE could have a case to answer.