Primary Care Physiotherapy services at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Stranorlar are to be delivered from community hospitals in Lifford and Donegal Town from today.
However, the HSE say they are in the process of seeking suitable accommodation in the Finn Valley Area in order to have the services restored.
In a statement last week, the HSE confirmed that following a recent HIQA inspection in St Joseph’s Hospital, Stranorlar and an identified need for essential fire upgrade works to be undertaken, Primary Care Physiotherapy will relocate to alternative accommodation with immediate effect.
Amid strong criticism of the decision, the HSE issued a further statement on Friday evening.
A HSE spokesperson said that in the longer term, work is ongoing to secure suitable appropriate accommodation in the Finn Valley area to enable Primary Care Physiotherapy Services to be restored to the local area as soon as possible.
The statement read: “Following an inspection undertaken by HIQA essential fire upgrade works were identified that needed to be completed within a specified timeframe to ensure that HIQA requirements are met and the hospital remains fully operational.
“In order to complete these works there was a requirement for patients to be relocated within the hospital. The most suitable area identified was the Primary Care Physiotherapy department (formerly known as Drogheda Ward).
“This ensures that existing patients in the hospital are catered for and will not be disturbed by the works.
“In addition it ensures that bed numbers can be retained to facilitate short-stay admissions from the acute sector and to ensure that the continuity of hospital discharges and patient flow from Letterkenny University Hospital are maintained.”
To facilitate this Primary Care Physiotherapy will relocate to alternative accommodation with immediate effect as an interim solution.
From Monday, February 26, Primary Care Physiotherapy Services will be delivered from Donegal Town Community Hospital (for patients residing in Altapaste, Cloghan, Cappry, Goland, Knock and Stranorlar ED areas) and Lifford Community Hospital (for patients residing in Convoy, Gleneely, Killygordon and Drumkeen ED areas)
From Tuesday, February 27 the public are asked to contact 074 974 0623 to speak to a Physiotherapist.
The statement added: “Occupational Therapy Services are a home based service and will not be affected by this move.
“The services have communicated with affected service users advising on which centre to attend for appointment and notified all other stakeholders of the relocation.
“Physiotherapy Services will continue to be provided in the hospital.
“In the longer term work is ongoing to secure suitable appropriate accommodation in the Finn Valley area to enable Primary Care Physiotherapy Services to be restored to the local area as soon as possible.
“The HSE wishes to confirm that as part of its overall service delivery plan and in the best interests for service users in the longer term Primary Care Services including physiotherapy services will be provided from Finn Valley area in accordance with patients’ needs.”
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)