by Louise Doyle
AMBULANCES spent almost 9,000 hours in turnaround times at Letterkenny University Hospital in the first six months of this year.
Figures obtained by the Donegal News through a Freedom of Information request show the National Ambulance Service (NAS) spent a total of 8,777 hours in turnaround times at LUH from January to June of this year.
A breakdown of the figures reveals March was the busiest month for the total time ambulances spent in turnaround at LUH, at 1,949 hours.
The average time an ambulance spent at LUH before clearing was highest at one hour and 50 minutes. March also saw the highest number of calls (1,062).
During March, 25 calls (2.4 per cent) were at LUH for between seven to 14 hours before being cleared, while 452 calls (42.6 per cent) were cleared at the hospital in 60 minutes or less, while 303 calls were cleared between one to two hours.
February had the fewest calls (889), however, ambulances spent a total time of 1,259 hours at LUH in turnaround times.
The average time an ambulance waited to be cleared at LUH was one hour, 25 minutes.
Three calls (0.3 per cent) spent up to seven hours at the hospital before clearing, while 51.4 per cent (457 calls) were cleared at the hospital in 60 minutes or less.
Forty-eight calls (5.4 per cent) took three to four hours to clear, while 10 calls (1.1 per cent) took between six to seven hours to clear.
June had the shortest average ambulance turnaround time at hospital at one hour and 12 minutes. The total ambulance turnaround time for June was 1,188.52 hours.
A HSE spokesperson said: “Ambulance turnaround times data combines the time intervals from ambulance arrival times (through clinical handover in Emergency Department or specialist unit) to when the ambulance crew are clear and available to accept another call.”
Speaking to the Donegal News, Councillor Gerry McMonagle, who is also a member of Regional Health Forum West, described the figures as “deeply worrying”.
“These figures are deeply worrying. It’s an issue, given that we only have a certain amount of ambulances at any given time.
“A lot of this is down to capacity issues at the emergency department of Letterkenny University Hospital, and that is what is holding ambulances from between 30 minutes to two hours in turnaround times.
“There are no beds, which means the patients can’t be taken in from the ambulance to the hospital and therefore are having to stay in the ambulance delaying the ambulance in its turnaround.”
Cllr McMonagle said the lengthy turnaround times for ambulances at LUH is placing more pressure on patients and ambulance staff, and is stretching an already on-the-brink service.
The FOI figures come as Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has yet to come to Donegal to meet with concerned GP representatives. Last month 78 GPs penned a letter to Minister Donnelly imploring him to take action. Their calls have not yet heralded a visit from the Minister.
“There is still no word from Minister Donnelly on when he will be coming to Letterkenny. We need ministerial intervention at this time. We’re a couple of locum consultants away from losing special services in the hospital,” warned Cllr McMonagle.
“Something is going to break. Staff, doctors and nurses are under too much pressure. The warning is there in black and white.”
Meanwhile, it is hoped that plans for a two-storey modular extension to the Emergency Department at LUH will be accelerated.
The extension at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) is currently in the early stages with HSE Estates.
It will provide additional patient treatment space and will include Pediatric treatment spaces; additional ED single treatment rooms and a Minor Injuries Clinic.
A Saolta spokesperson told the Donegal News: “The planned extension to the LUH Emergency Dept will consist of a two-storey modular unit to provide over 450sqm of additional patient treatment space and will include Paediatric treatment spaces; additional ED single treatment rooms and a Minor Injuries Clinic. The extension will be connected to the existing Emergency Department in order to ensure efficiencies in staffing cover and full access to the Hospital’s existing diagnostic departments. The extension is progressing through the HSE Estates processes at present and it is hoped that it can be fast tracked.”
Cllr McMonagle said he plans to continue to press CEO of Saolta University Health Care Group Tony Canavan on the matter.
“I hope it’s not a case of blowing smoke. It will be a welcome move, but it will also require the delivery of more staff and more beds.”
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)