A MEETING over the future provision of the angiogram service at Letterkenny University Hospital will take place this morning.
Members of the HSE’s Regional Health Forum and Oireachtas members will hold a meeting with Saolta management over serious concerns about the withdrawal of the service. Up until the end of May the service has been provided on a weekly basis by a mobile lab.
The Saolta Group said they are working on contingency measures and that a review of the National Strategy on Cardiology is underway and is due to be published imminently. They said this review will set out the roadmap for future delivery for cardiac services nationally and that they will follow the recommendations it contains.
Speaking ahead of this morning’s meeting Cllr Gerry McMonagle, Chair of the HSE Western Regional Health Forum, said while he was hopeful for a positive outcome he was also realistic.
He said it is very concerning to hear of reviews with little information provided and patients not being consulted about their experience of the service.
Cllr McMonagle said the critical mass of people in the Derry, Donegal and west Tyrone area is not only a reason to maintain the service but also highlights the need to build on the cardiac services at Letterkenny University Hospital to serve the whole of the north west.
There has been much anger expressed locally that a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory, purchased at a cost of €750,000, is sitting idle due to the lack of staff to run it. It was purchased after years of fundraising by the Friends of Letterkenny University Hospital group.
“Not only are the people that raised the money frustrated, they are angry, and rightly so. They put in so much effort over a period of time,” added Cllr McMonagle.
“€750,000 is a fantastic amount of money and for it to be sitting idle.
“It is a terrible kick in the teeth for the Friends of Letterkenny Hospital who do trojan work.”
Betty Holmes, Chair of Donegal Action for Cancer Care (DACC)
Betty Holmes, Chair of Donegal Action for Cancer Care (DACC), said they are hopeful that there can be a positive outcome.
“DACC have been informed that the National Strategy on Cardiology is underway and is due to be published imminently. This review will set out the roadmap for future delivery for cardiac services nationally. For DACC and the people of Donegal we sincerely hope that this will not see the removal of this very important indeed life saving service from Letterkenny University Hospital,” she said.
“There is also the question of the €750,000 raised by the Friends of Letterkenny Hospital and the people of Donegal.”
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