Nineteen per cent rise in number of patients on trolleys


by Louise Doyle THE number of admitted patients who were on trolleys waiting for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital yesterday rose by 19 per cent compared with the beginning of the month. Thirty-one admitted patients were on trolleys in LUH yesterday without a bed. Advertisement The number was a rise of five patients on January 2, 2024, when […]

Respiratory illness surge in Donegal


BY JEROME HUGHES DONEGAL residents are being urged to get a flu vaccine and Covid booster jab amid a spike in respiratory illnesses, a problem that is forecast to intensify throughout January. 29 patients were unable to obtain a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital yesterday morning, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). […]

Tea party held to mark John’s heart transplant anniversary


Work colleagues in the Radiology Department at Letterkenny University Hospital held a charity tea party to celebrate a wonderful milestone before Christmas. Staff member John Peoples underwent a heart transplant 21 years ago – and to mark the anniversary, he was joined by family members and colleagues at a special event organised by Annamarie Brogan […]

‘Hopes’ of additional budget for LUH in the year ahead


BY JEROME HUGHES THE region’s top health official has expressed ‘hope’ that Letterkenny University Hospital will receive additional funding and staff in 2024. After facing problems in 2023, including overcrowding in the Emergency Department leading to ambulance crews being unable to alight patients, and attracting scathing criticism from GPs and consultants on a range of […]

Over 7,000 euro raised from Friends of Letterkenny University Hospital draw


OVER €7,000 was raised from the Friends of Letterkenny University Hospital annual Christmas draw. The lucky winner of the top prize was Patricia Hunter who is pictured receiving her prize, a 32-inch smart TV from Friends committee member, Allen McCrea. Also in the picture is David Crumlish of Crumlish Appliances, the sponsor of the prize. Advertisement Second […]

Tributes paid at ETB meeting to friends who died in collision


By Diarmaid Doherty MEMBERS of the board of Donegal ETB have paid tribute to the two teenagers who lost their lives in a single vehicle collision in Inishowen last month. Thomas Gallagher and Alana Harkin, both aged 18, died in the collision near Gleneely on the main R238 road to Culdaff. Advertisement A third occupant […]

Significant improvements of gynae services but monitoring to continue


by Louise Doyle THE State’s health watchdog has said it is ‘satisfied’ gynaecology services at Letterkenny University Hospital have significantly improved, but added further monitoring will continue. The findings are contained in the Health Information and Quality Improvement (HIQA) overview report of monitoring and regulation of healthcare services between 2021 and 2023, published on Friday. Advertisement It highlights HIQA’s inspection and […]

Calls for LUH to provide treatment to reduce hair loss for cancer patients


LETTERKENNY University Hospital is being urged to provide treatment to help cancer patients reduce hair loss. Green Party Senators have put forward a motion calling on the government to extend scalp cooling technology to all people receiving cancer treatment. The motion is calling for Letterkenny University Hospital to have the hair retaining service extended to […]

Findings of report into Letterkenny University Hospital’s ED crisis expected in New Year


By Jerome Hughes THE FINDINGS of a report into the crisis at Letterkenny University Hospital’s emergency department are expected to be delivered early in the new year. The HSE’s Performance Management and Improvement Unit (PMIU) began its investigation at the hospital’s ED on November 3. In an interview with the Donegal News on Friday, Saolta CEO Tony […]