by Louise Doyle
CONFIDENCE in Letterkenny University Hospital is being eroded after a second locum consultant was let go in a matter of weeks, it has been claimed.
Councillor Gerry McMonagle, who is also a member of Regional Health Forum West, has called for a deeper probe into the qualifications and background of locum consultants employed at LUH.
His call comes as files on a number of patients at LUH are being reviewed over concerns about the standard of the locum consultant’s work.
The locum urologist consultant was placed on leave in September after concerns came to light, and is no longer working at the hospital.
It’s the second such incident to emerge in a matter of weeks, after a locum radiologist consultant was discharged from the hospital following concerns about their standard of work. The consultant’s contract was terminated within 10 days after concerns were raised by a senior member of staff over their standard of work.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Cllr McMonagle said the development was “very worrying”.
“I think a deeper examination into the background of locum consultants and their qualifications is needed because something is clearly amiss here. This all about confidence and at the end of the day we are losing the confidence of our patients at the hospital.
“It is very worrying but I suppose one good thing is that safeguards to recognise below par standards of work are in place.”
recruitment
Cllr McMonagle said the latest incident calls into question the procedures and methods being used to analyse those applying for posts at the hospital. He said the incidents point to a need for a better investment in permanent recruitment and retention.
“We need to not rely so much on agency and locum staff, and this means getting recruitment and retention issues sorted.”
A Saolta spokesperson stressed the clinician had met all qualifying criteria for the role. A number of patient files are being examined.
“Letterkenny University Hospital can confirm that a locum consultant urologist was placed on leave in early September and is no longer working in the hospital. This is the second consultant to be let go from the hospital in a matter of weeks amid concerns about their standard of work.
“The Saolta Group Quality and Patient Safety service are reviewing a number of cases where concerns about care have been identified.
“The clinician had met all qualifying criteria for the role and is listed on the specialist register.”
The spokesperson added that where concerns regarding clinical care come to light, patients will be contacted with full open disclosure and appropriate arrangements put in place for follow up care.
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