Review underway at Letterkenny University Hospital is welcomed

Members of the Performance Management and Improvement Unit (PMIU) have visited Letterkenny University Hospital and the review is underway.

On Friday, the PMIU met with management and later attended specially convened meeting of the Regional Health Forum. The CEO of the Saolta University Health Care Group,Tony Canavan, said the review of the PMIU was underway and it would take around six weeks to complete.

The commencement of the review has been welcomed by Minister, Charlie McConalogue. Mr McConalogue said that the review will focus on all aspects of Letterkenny University Hospital, from the numbers presenting at the emergency department, to reducing waiting times, delayed discharges, community care, and GP services.

"This review is a most welcome development and will hopefully lead to better and more efficient systems being put in place at the hospital,” he said, adding: “As minister I have worked to deliver significant investment in Letterkenny University Hospital. The budget for the hospital has increased from €142.7m in 2019 to €177.8m in 2023 - an increase of 24.5%. As of April 2023, 2,144 people are working at the hospital – an increase of over 20% since 2020."

He alluded to significant investment in services at Letterkenny University Hospital in recent years which seen capital projects completed in the last two years include the expansion of gynaecology services, the opening of the acute stroke unit, the provision of an additional endoscopy theatre and a new maternity theatre.

Since the end of 2019, 49 additional beds have been delivered to Letterkenny University Hospital.

“It’s important that this level of investment translates into the high level of services we want to see provided in our county, so the appointment of the specialist team by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, is extremely important in this regard,” Minister McConalogue said.

Mr McConalogue siad he will continue to liaise with Minister Donnelly in relation to the work of the PMIU, he said: “Minister Donnelly is monitoring the work of the specialist team closely that he has assigned to carry out a review. A visit to Letterkenny University Hospital by Minister Donnelly will be arranged when the team has progressed some of their work.”

Meanwhile, GP’s arranged to meet with SAOLTA management today. GP’s in the county first raised their concerns after the over-crowding issues were experienced in Letterkenny, in August. Doctor Ciarán Ó Fearraigh said there are concerns the winter ahead may prove difficult.