GP care in Clare has come under focus once more today.
Clare County Councillors have given their backing to a campaign looking to maintain general practice in rural areas, while the HSE is also being urged to review Shannondoc services so as to ensure that doctors can be seen out of hours throughout the county.
Shannondoc has Treatment Centres in Ennis, Shannon, Killaloe, Ennistymon, Miltown Malbay and Kilrush.
The centres provide access to a doctor at night or on weekends, but some of those centres close late at night, meaning people in need of assistance in the early hours of the morning often have to travel to Ennis.
Cranny mother Sarah O'Leary Doyle recently took her son to Shannondoc in Ennis because the Kilrush centre closes for portions of the night.
Meanwhile, it's claimed the harsh reality that general practrise could wither if not protected is beginning to dawn on people living in all areas of the county.
Clare county Councillors have have backed a motion calling for GP services to stay in rural towns and villages.
Last month, a public meeting in Corofin heard concerns that a lack of supports was threatening the viability of rural GPs and Newmarket on Fergus Councillor Pat McMahon says its an issue that affects every community in Clare.
