The HSE has been urged to lodge a planning application for its long-promised new community nursing unit for Clifden.

The call comes as HSE Community Healthcare West prepares to close some services at Clifden District Hospital for two weeks from next Monday.

Admissions for respite and short-stay beds will be “temporarily paused” from Monday, July 17, to Sunday, July 30.

This was due to staff shortages and was planned. In a statement, the HSE said Clifden District Hospital will remain open for Day Care and other services will continue as normal.

A similar closure of respite last year sparked fears that there was an overall plan to downgrade Clifden District Hospital and resulted in a public backlash.

Galway County Councillor Eileen Mannion (FG) said she was ‘not concerned’ about this latest planned closure and has received assurances that respite services will reopen on July 31.

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