Connemara county councillors are calling on the Health Services Executive to set up a community medical service centre in Carna.

These centres are known as Primary Health Care centres and the Health Services Executive intends having six of them in Connemara and the Aran Islands.

However, there has been surprise that Carnad1 one the areas at greatest distance from any town d1 bas flot been included. At their meeting this week, the Connemara councillors voted unanimously to cati on the HSE to set up a centre in Carna.

This follows on a unanimous vote by the Údarás na Gaeltachta national board meeting in Donegal the previous week. Other health care specialists, as weIl as community doctors, would be available at these centres.

The centres which were selected in west Galway are Clifden, Oughterard, Moycullen, the Aran Islands, Spiddal and a unit for South Connemara.

However, earlier documents issued by the HSE suggested that this unit would be largely based in Carraroe. "We are ail in agreement that these areas should have the new medical care centres," said Councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig.

"However, I think it is fair to say that nobody can understand why Carna is not selected. Remember that Carna is about 30 miles from Carraroe and about the same distance from Clifden.

"The HSE says these centres should be accessible to the communities. How do you explain why Carna is left out?"

In further comments Councillor Ó Cuaig said that there had been many developments associated with the Carna medical practice including a community ambulance service, services for senior citizens, services for people affected by Alzhemerd5 s and the setting up of a nursing home.

"These services have been set up through co-operation between the Medical Practice and the community", Councillor Ó: Cuaig said "and it seems that Carna should be an ideal place for a medical community services centre."

Cúradh Chonnachtach - 25/5/2007