A group campaigning against the proposed downgrading of Ennis General Hospital has published a report saying it makes no sense to remove acute and A&E services from the hospital.
The report, drawn up by Dr Jim Bradley, managing director of a consultancy firm, instead says "it makes full sense to analyse and suggest improvements to the service".
The report was commissioned at a reported cost of €6,000 from funds raised by the Ennis Hospital Development Committee.
In a presentation on the report, Dr Bradley said that, despite years of underfunding, Ennis General Hospital still performed as well, if not better, than the Mid West Regional Hospital in Limerick.
Dr Bradley said if the controversial Hanly report was implemented, 44,856 people would be facing journey times of over one hour to Limerick regional hospital.
This, he said, was outside the international accepted standard.
Dr Bradley found that by referring all regional A&E cases to Limerick, the workload would increase in the regional hospital by 57 per cent.
"Not only will patients in Ennis and Nenagh suffer a reduction in service, but Limerick patients will suffer a reduction in service by having to wait longer for treatment."
Speaking at the launch of the report yesterday, a west Clare-based GP, Dr Tom Nolan, said the Hanly report was already outmoded.
He said that it should be seen as a discussion document, not as a fait accompli.
On a visit to Ennis hospital in March, the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, gave a commitment that 24-hour, A&E services would continue.
However, the Ennis Hospital Development Committee claims that Ennis General Hospital has not been "saved", and has warned that if the Hanly report is implemented, the hospital "will cease to be a hospital for acutely-ill patients".
Dr Nolan said on the issue of safety and economics, the Hanly report had to be reviewed.
An A&E nurse at the Ennis hospital, Ms Ann Glynn, said she could guarantee there "will be loss of life if the casualty service is reduced".
She added: "It is morally, professionally and ethically so wrong to suggest that our unit be reduced to a nurse-led minor injury clinic."
Ms Glynn said she was not convinced by guarantees from Mr Martin over the continuation of the service.
A consultant at Ennis General Hospital, Dr John O'Dea, said the report was "a very sensible, well thought-out document".
