Cloghan health centre to stay open for appointments

Fianna Fáil TD for Laois-Offaly, Barry Cowen, has received assurances from the HSE that Cloghan Health Centre will remain open as an appointments-based service.

Deputy Cowen recently raised concerns with the HSE around any proposed closure of the centre and clearly outlined the implications such a closure may have on Cloghan and its surrounding areas.

The centre currently provides a very important service which covers many patients from Cloghan, Shannonbridge, Clonmacnoise, Lumcloon, Shannon Harbour and Belmont.

Deputy Cowen commented: “I have since learned that there are no plans regarding a closure of Cloghan Health Center.

“A Primary Care Centre has opened in Banagher and indeed, almost all of the service users currently attending Cloghan have their GPs based in the new Banagher Primary Care Centre. It’s thought that there are clear benefits in having all staff, HSE and GPs, under the one roof with regards to the flow of communication.

“However, it’s important to note that the moving of staff to Banagher is not and should not be equated with a closure of Cloghan. I have received assurances from the HSE that Cloghan will remain open on an appointments-based service for the patients who attend on weekly basis,” concluded Deputy Cowen.