Saolta monitoring new variant


SAOLTA University Health Care Group says it is monitoring the arrival of a new variant of Covid-19. Hundreds of cases of the new Omicron variant XE have been detected in England. As of March 22, 637 cases of XE had been detected. The UK Health Security Agency said it was studying XE – a mutation of […]


Photos reveal level of overcrowding at LUH


ZERO-tolerance to overcrowding in Letterkenny University Hospital has been called for in the wake of photographs showing patients sitting on the floor. The images emerged this week revealing the level of overcrowding at the hospital as patients endure extreme waiting times. The number of people attending LUH’s emergency department in January and February increased by […]


LUH ‘severely impacted’ by increase in Covid patients


VISITING restrictions remain in place at Letterkenny University Hospital as the site continues to be ‘severely impacted’ by Covid-19. The hospital is seeing a significant increase in Covid-19 positive admissions and attendances, while also dealing with high volumes of non-Covid patients. There are 84 patients with Covid-19 being treated in the hospital today. Currently, there […]


Winter pressures having major impact on hospital


LETTERKENNY University Hospital is treating more people than ever before as extreme winter pressures are having a major impact on the health service.  A range of factors including the impact of winter and the high numbers in hospital and attending ED are leading to a very high demand on both hospital and community services. Referring to the […]


Over half promised hospital beds yet to be delivered


MORE than half of the hospital beds promised in the Health Service Executive’s service plan for Letterkenny University Hospital this year have yet to be delivered. Of the 39 acute beds that were promised in the HSE’s winter plan, 16 are open and it will be February, at the earliest, before the remaining 23 beds […]


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 […]


‘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 […]


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 […]