Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty has accused the Health Minister of “sitting on his hands” over the lack of proper Neurology services in Donegal.
The Sinn Féin TD raised the lack of neurology services at Letterkenny University Hospital and the North West during a Dáil debate today
He was told that a review into Neurology services in the region had been put back from Quarter 2 this year to Quarter 3. In response, Minister Donnelly told the Deputy that he would see if this delay could be reduced to a few weeks.
“My office has been inundated with demands for a dedicated outpatient neurology service provided by a consultant neurologist at Letterkenny University Hospital,” Deputy Doherty said.
“The community neurorehabilitation team in the North West is also seriously understaffed and operating with only a third of the required staff. This won’t change until the HSE recruitment embargo is lifted.
“I accept that Letterkenny University Hospital currently provides some clinics for patients with neurological conditions, but it urgently requires a dedicated outpatient neurology service provided by a consultant neurologist.”
He added: “Your department were told about these issues a long time ago. I believe you sat on your hands. People are having to travel to Sligo for treatment and that’s a 300 km round journey for some people.
“Why has the review slipped? Why is there new information now that has put this back further? Have you asked for answers as to why it isn’t completed at this stage?
“Letterkenny hospital cannot go on like this. It’s leaping from crisis to crisis. It needs further investment but crucially it needs upgraded. That is abundantly clear. “
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