SOME elective surgeries at Letterkenny Univeristy Hospital have been postponed due to high numbers of people attending and lack of bed availability. Monday saw 167 attendances at the Emergency Department with over 150 attending yesterday March 30th. As of 9am this morning there are 34 patients awaiting a bed in ED with high attendances continuing this […]
Lack of GP service blamed on connectivity issues in Churchill
THE failure to restore a GP clinic in Churchill has been blamed on connectivity issues. For the last 19 months, people of the area have not had regular GP visits, which has severely impacted elderly residents. Prior to this, a GP service was available three days a week. Patients are now being treated in the Ark Medical Centre in Letterkenny. But […]
Mass exodus of staff from HSE in Donegal
ALMOST two staff a day under the age of 50 resigned from Donegal HSE last year. The majority of resignations were tendered by Letterkenny University Hospital employees. Freedom of Information figures released to the Donegal News show that 173 staff left the organisation in 2022. A breakdown of the figures reveal 116 LUH employees vacated their jobs. Eighteen staff resigned from Local Health Office […]
Donegal Covid-19 testing centre to close this week
THE Public Health advice for Covid-19 has been updated and from this Thursday, March 30, Covid-19 testing is no longer recommended for the vast majority of people. In line with this new advice, community testing centres across Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo and the self-referral portal for ordering PCR tests are no longer required, […]
Runaway hospital overcrowding becoming ‘new normal’
OVER 3,123 patients have been without a hospital bed this week according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s TrolleyWatch figures. 548 patients are without a bed today, including sixteen children. INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha, “There hasn’t been a day in the last two weeks where trolley numbers have dropped below 545. It is […]
Hospital’s emergency department records busiest day
PEOPLE attending Letterkenny University Hospital are being warned that it remains extremely busy today with long wait times at the emergency department. The department saw a record number of attendances yesterday (Monday) with 203 people through the door. A spokesperson for hospital group Saolta said, “The hospital is advising that patients who attend the emergency […]
“Lost cause” is now thrilled to have quit smoking for over six months
A DONEGAL woman who smoked for over 50 years but quit six months ago is encouraging anyone considering quitting to use the support available. With the help of the Donegal HSE Stop Smoking Service, Phil Tysall has quit smoking and can’t quite believe how quitting has helped her regain her confidence and youthful appearance. Phil […]
Letterkenny University Hospital ‘under significant pressure’
The Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital is under significant pressure today with high attendances and long waiting times. Yesterday 154 people attended the Emergency Department. The high number of people attending who need to be admitted for ongoing treatment means that there is pressure on bed availability. Advertisement This is resulting in significant delays […]
Arranmore ambulance brought to mainland for repairs six times in the last four years
KEY infrastructure issues impacting islanders on Arranmore have been highlighted in a newly-published cross-border project from Noteworthy. Irish journalist Niall Sargent visited islands from Cork to Donegal to better understand the key issues facing the islands. He found that residents are calling for a platform, not a crutch, through coordinated, joined-up policy to ensure the […]
HSE announce Covid-19 vaccines for young children
THE HSE has announced COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 months to 4 years will be available from Monday. NIAC has recommended COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to 4 years with underlying conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19. NIAC has also recommended that COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to […]