By Dionne Meehan
THE Health Service Executive has confirmed the appointment of a locum consultant neurologist for Letterkenny University Hospital.
It comes as new figures revealed that almost 800 people are on the waiting list for an appointment, almost 300 of whom have been waiting for their appointment for over 12 months.
In October last year, the former Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, approved the appointment of a full-time consultant neurologist for LUH.
However, almost five months on, the role has yet to be filled.
In a statement issued to the Donegal News, a HSE spokesperson said: “Whilst LUH proceed with documentation to get formal approval at the Consultant Application Advisory Committee (CAAC) and subsequent permanent recruitment through the Public Appointment Service (PAS), LUH has in the interim interviewed a number of candidates and has offered a locum consultant position to a successful candidate.
“This candidate has verbally accepted the position and is awaiting registration on the Specialist Division of the Irish Medical Council.
“Clearances are currently in process with the Medical Workforce Department, so we expect a start date for end of Q2 of 2025.
“This will significantly improve access to neurology services for patients in Donegal.”
Welcoming the appointment, Donegal County Councillor, Tómas Sean Devine emphasised its significance for many people.
“It is brilliant news for an awful lot of people in the Letterkenny and Donegal area as they will no longer have to travel to Galway, Dublin or Sligo to see a neurologist,” he said.
“I myself had to travel to Sligo University Hospital last Thursday to see the neurologist before coming back to Letterkenny University Hospital for my treatment.
“I welcome the appointment with open arms and I want to thank everyone who campaigned for us down through the years.”
In the meantime, the Sligo University Hospital lead Neurology Service continues to hold three consultant outpatient clinics in Letterkenny each week.
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