Letterkenny hospital: 56 people waited at least 24 hours for a bed this week

Concerns have been raised about the number of patients who have been left waiting more than 24 hours for a bed at Letterkenny University Hospital.

In the last week, HSE figures marked at 8am each morning show that 56 people have been waiting for at least 24 hours at LUH.

On Monday morning, the HSE's trolley count confirmed that 13 people were waiting for 24 hours.

That figure was at nine on Tuesday, eight on Wednesday and was reduced to four when Thursday's numbers were taken.

'Action day' protest amid fears of 'rising tensions' at Letterkenny hospital

Donegal Aontú Rep Mary T. Sweeney has organised the protest as overcrowding and staff shortage issues continue at Letterkenny University Hospital

The HSE’s trolley count of patients in emergency departments – not including those on trolleys in wards – showed 55 patients across the country had spent at least 24 hours waiting for a bed.

LUH was the fourth most overcrowded hospital in the country on Thursday with 34 people awaiting admission, 11 of whom were on trolleys.

Figures show there were 24 patients at LUH being treated for Covid-19 on Thursday, one of whom is in intensive care.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “The level of overcrowding we are seeing in our hospitals is still too high. We have not seen numbers like we have seen today at this point in January since the INMO began counting trolleys in 2006.

“Nurses and midwives are working in impossible conditions to provide the safest care they can but it is clear that their workplaces are dangerous.”

Last week was the worst on record for overcrowding in Ireland's hospitals and LUH was frequently among those with the highest volume of people awaiting admission.

Experienced Emergency Department nurse Sarah Meagher described working condition as 'inhumane'.

Against this backdrop, Donegal Aontú Rep Mary T. Sweeney has organised the protest for 1pm on Saturday-week, January 21.

“People across Donegal are genuinely anxious, and after hearing various reports of overcrowding and staff shortages emerging from our A&E department,” Ms Sweeney said.

“Also numerous stories have been conveyed to me regards rising tension among hospital staff, fanned by what can only be described as burn out and exhaustion”