THERE was an increase in the number of complaints made about gynaecology services at Letterkenny University Hospital in 2022.
Figures obtained by the Donegal News through a Freedom of Information request show there were seven complaints lodged about the service between January and November 2022, up from two complaints made the previous year.
When questioned about the rise in complaints a spokesperson for health care group Saolta said some of the complaints made were about communication issues within the service.
They said, “All complaints are taken seriously, investigated fully and changes made to services provided where appropriate. Some of the complaints are about communication.
“We are actively working on communication workshops for the multidisciplinary team.
“While some of these relate to medical care provided, others relate to the processes around waiting lists and referral pathways.”
Spotlight
The gynaecology service has been under the spotlight following incidents of delayed diagnosis of endometrial cancer.
The hospital has been on the Health and Information Quality Authority, HIQA’s radar after it found there were weaknesses in governance structures and processes at the hospital and oversight quality assurance mechanisms at Saolta Group level.
In a bid to improve the service a new Clinical Director of Gynaecology, Dr Ronan Gleeson, a retired consultant from the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, was appointed earlier this year.
“We are pleased that there has been a significant improvement in access for women for Gynaecology Services including the opening of the new Ambulatory Gynaecology Unit,” added the spokesperson.
“Professor Gleeson is working collaboratively with the Gynaecology Team in Letterkenny to support improvements and new service delivery pathways.”
Of the seven complaints made about the gynaecology service in 2022, three of the cases have been closed and four remain open.
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)