Apology for cancer clinic cancellation


THE Saolta University Health Care Group has apologised to patients affected by the cancellation of two oncology clinics at Letterkenny University Hospital last month. The Chief Executive of the Group said it was “not good enough” and admitted that patients “didn’t get the service they deserved”. Addressing members of the Regional Health Forum via Zoom […]


Saolta to meet NHS this week


HEALTH Care Group Saolta will meet NHS Scotland this week to discuss bringing an independent external team over to review management and governance at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH).  Speaking to the Donegal News ahead of the meeting Saolta CEO Tony Canavan said the move to bring in a team from the UK shows how seriously […]


Concern as Covid-19 cases rise in hospitals


A concerning increase in Covid-19 cases have been detected in community hospitals and nursing homes in Donegal over the past number of weeks. While immunisation levels across the sector are among the highest in the State, Dr Anthony Breslin, Public Health Specialist for Donegal, confirmed that the outbreaks have led to hospital admissions. He added […]


‘Recruitment problems for LUH posts to get worse’


RECRUITMENT of consultants in Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) is difficult in the best of times but, as a result of the proposed Sláintecare contract, it may become even worse. Mr Peter O’Rourke, retired consultant orthopaedic surgeon, believes the proposed contract will lead to further vacant consultant posts, more trainees emigrating on completion of training, longer […]


Gardaí attend funeral as mourners refuse to use masks


GARDAÍ attended the funeral of Joe McCarron after a number of people were asked to leave the church because they were not wearing facemasks.  Joe McCarron (67), late of Diamond, Dungloe, died in Letterkenny University Hospital on Friday during his second stint in the hospital in a matter of weeks after contracting Covid-19 and his […]


Saolta ‘gravely concerned’ following incident at LUH


THE Saolta University Healthcare Group said it has “grave concerns” about the impact of the spreading of disinformation on staff and patients. It comes after a video was posted online allegedly showing a Covid-19 patient being encouraged to leave Letterkenny University Hospital by another man. A staff member was videoed appealing for the man to […]


Record level of patients attending Letterkenny Hospital


LETTERKENNY University Hospital is seeing a very significant return of patients to the hospital with ‘record numbers’ attending the Emergency Department.  Saolta have said the Emergency Department (ED) is seeing record levels of attendances recently and this is putting pressure on the hospital. In particular there is pressure on bed availability in the hospital and […]


Shortfall of nurses blamed on ‘horrendous conditions’


A shortfall of around 55 nurses at Letterkenny University Hospital has been blamed on “horrendous working conditions” with nurses looking to move away from the intensity of acute hospital jobs into other areas. That is according to Neal Donohue, the INMO’s Industrial Relations Officer in the north west. He told the Donegal News yesterday that […]