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07 Sept 2025
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07 Sept 2025
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St Joseph's Community Hospital
The HSE stands accused of acting like a 'secret organisation' with physiotherapy services at St Joseph's Community Hospital in Stranorlar to be discontinued this week.
Relatives of residents at the facility are said to be 'alarmed' at the news, which has been communicated on the back of a recent HIQA report on the facility.
A spokesperson for the HSE confirmed to Donegal Live an 'identified need for essential fire upgrade works' means that be primary care physiotherapy 'will relocate to alternative accommodation with immediate effect'.
From Monday next, February 26, primary care physiotherapy will be delivered from Donegal Town Community Hospital for patients residing in Altapaste, Cloghan, Cappry, Goland, Knock and Stranorlar ED areas.
The service will be delivered from Lifford Community Hospital for patients residing in Convoy, Gleneely, Killygordon and Drumkeen ED areas.
The spokesperson said: “The services are communicating with affected service users advising on which centre to attend for appointment and notifying all other stakeholders of the relocation.
"Work is ongoing to secure suitable appropriate accommodation in the Finn Valley area to enable services to be restored as soon as possible.
“Occupational therapy services are a home based service and will not be affected by this move.”
Earlier this week, Councillor Patrick McGowan slammed a lack of clarity from the HSE when he said: “It would remind you of the bad old days. It's like it is a secret organisation.
“It is an absolute disgrace. There is just no communication at all. We won't stand for them running down services by stealth.”
Councillor McGowan has said that there are ample solutions available on site at St Joseph's without the need to move such services.
Mary T Sweeney, who is the Chair of the Letterkenny Hospital Campaign Group said that the 'care displayed to the most vulnerable in our communities is being eroded by the HSE and this must be challenge'.
“The HSE 2024 plan talks of integrated care programme for older persons with community specialist teams,” Ms Sweeney said.
“Where is that integrated care programme for the residents of St Joseph's Community Hospital - and why was it withdrawn? When will this stop.
“We need immediate action from across Donegal communities to support the retention of essential HSE services for the elderly in St Joseph's.”
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