Stern lady from Ulster hospitalised (7)

I believe the answer is:

austere

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'stern' is the definition.
(I know that stern can be written as austere)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for austere that I've seen before include "Severe or strict in attitude" , "Harsh" , "Severely simple and plain in appearance" , "Serious" , "Grim -- a US tree (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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