There has been confirmation today that the HSE’s Performance Management and Improvement Unit is to travel to Letterkenny University Hospital this week to help address ongoing issues at the hospital’s Emergency Department.
But while the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly also confirmed plans to visit Letterkenny University Hospital “in the coming period” – a date for the visit has still to be confirmed.
On Monday, Minister Donnelly revealed that he had asked the HSE’s CEO, Bernard Gloster, to assign the specialist team.
And in a follow up announcement this afternoon, Minister Donnelly, has confirmed that the HSE’s Performance Management and Improvement Unit will arrive in Donegal this week to support the LUH team with ongoing improvements, and address challenges in the hospital and Emergency Department.
Minister Donnelly said: “I want to ensure that Letterkenny University Hospital is serving the needs of patients and their families in Donegal.
“The specialist team will work closely with hospital management to focus on measures to improve the patient experience at LUH. This review will address issues such as patient flow, triage, surge capacity, average length of stay and additional discharge opportunities.”
The statement outlined how there has been a significant increase in attendances at LUH this year. Between January and September, over 40,000 presentations were made at the Emergency Department – a 13% increase over the same period last year, and 25% above the same period in 2019.
Minister Donnelly continued: “I’m concerned at the high level of presentations at the Emergency Department as we have expanded community care, more home support packages and nursing home supports.”
The statement concluded by saying the Minister for Health will liaise with the HSE Specialist Team to ensure that everything is being done to ensure urgent and emergency care is delivered to those in need of it in a timely fashion.
The Minister has also confirmed his intention to visit the hospital in the coming period, following his visit there last November.
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