BY HARRY WALSH
A cancer patient was given vital pre-chemotherpay treatment on a trolley in a corridor at Letterkenny General Hospital this week.
The treatment was given outside of the medical area, because the Oncology unit was too full.
It has led to complaints that patients face a ‘lottery’ on whether they get specialist treatment in a ward or on a bed in a corridor.
One woman who contacted the Donegal News said patients’ safety was being put at risk.
Ms Rachel Dutton, who lives in Gweedore, said her partner had been left in a distressing situation which compromised his privacy and dignity.
“My partner John came into Letterkenny hospital on Sunday in preparation for his first round of chemotherapy treatment. He was admitted to the Oncology ward but with no beds available he was placed on a trolley in the corridor. The staff were very apologetic.
“He was started on a drip on Sunday as it was important to get fluids into him and he was still on the trolley in the corridor when they started to administer his pre-chemo meds on Monday morning. They couldn’t start the chemo until he got a bed on Monday afternoon,” she explained.

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