by Louise Doyle
LOCAL patients with a neurological condition have added their voice to a national campaign seeking to appoint neurology consultants in Letterkenny.
Currently patients from Letterkenny have to endure a 224km round trip to Sligo University Hospital for neurology appointments.
But a campaign launched by The Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) hopes to bring this to an end.
The campaign – Patients Deserve Better – seeks to appoint Neurology Consultants in Letterkenny and four other Irish towns.
Noel from Letterkenny said: “Having a local neurologist in Donegal would be a game-changer. The burden of travelling long distances for appointments adds an extra layer of stress to an already challenging journey.”
Letterkenny woman, Elaine, said: “Having access to neurology services here in Donegal would benefit me greatly as it would cut out long car journeys to Sligo,” she said.
Local people are being encouraged to play their part by logging onto the website www.patientsdeservebetter.ie and clicking on the link for Letterkenny University Hospital andsubmit their name and email.
This generates an automatic email which is sent to all local TDs and Senators. Furthermore, people are being encouraged to share the link and information about the campaign with their families and friends.
“Let’s flood our politicians with emails – the power of the people will make this happen.
“It is up to all of us to ensure our politicians know that we want a Consultant Neurologist to be appointed to Letterkenny University Hospital,” said a spokesperson.
The NAI campaign team will be meeting with the politicians in Leinster House in April. A date is yet to be confirmed.
The NAI is an umbrella organisation advocating for the rights of 800,000 people in Ireland living with a neurological condition.
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