THE MINISTER for Health, Simon Harris, says that measure are being introduced that will see waiting times and overcrowding issues reduced at Letterkenny University Hospital.
The Health Minister was at the hospital to officially open the Medical Academy this afternoon.
While the INMO said that 22 people were on trolleys awaiting admission to the hospital today, the Minister said thet he had been informed that the figure stood at 10.
“I’m not going to debate that because one person waiting on a trolly is a great difficulty,” Minister Harris said.
“Behind every number is a person. We have come through a very difficult period for the Irish Health Service, for the Irish economy and for public services in general.
“We are back into an era of reinvestment.”
The Minister was greeted by a group of around 40 protesters upon arrival at the hospital.
The full capacity protocol has been enacted almost 90 times this year already and a high volume of patients were on trolleys this morning.
Local Sinn Féin members presented the Minister with an open letter outlining their concerns at what they call ‘the historical funding discrimination that our county’s major hospital has endured’.
After officially opening the new facility, the Minister met with local groups, including Donegal Action for Cancer Care, noting that it was due to what he called ‘the very courageous and gutsy campaigning’ by these groups that LUH was getting increased investment.
He said: “We have seen the largest ever health budget in the history of the state and the people of Donegal will see the benefits when the HSE launches its service plan.
“The budget for Letterkenny Hospital has been rising. The budget for 2016 was €120 million. It needs to rise further and it needs to continue to recruit nurses.
“We have reactivated the national treatment purchase fund. That means that we have a ring-fenced €20million for operations to be provided. That must be used to drive down waiting lists.
“We have just launched the winter initiative, €40million of additional funding for not just health services, but things like home help.
“That makes a real difference to the manager and staff at Letterkenny. If they have an older person able to go home but who a couple of months ago couldn’t have accessed home help, aids or appliances.
“As a result of that we have seen the number of delayed discharges fall from 650 to 533 and we will have that below 500 by Christmas.”
The new unit officially launched today has been developed as an extension to the main hospital building.
During his visit, Minister Harris formally opened the Integrated Blood Sciences Department and the Postgraduate Medical Learning Centre.
Seán Murphy, Letterkenny University Hospital General Manager stated, “The Integrated Blood Sciences Laboratory at LUH is one of the first of its kind in Ireland. The new analytical equipment is state of the art and this laboratory is the most modern of its kind in Ireland, north or south.
“The development of this new department brings together the endocrinology, biochemistry, haematology and serology departments into a single division and has allowed staff turn around samples faster and more efficiently.
“This allows clinicians have a clearer clinical picture in the provision of their treatment to patients. The lab now also provides a same day service to GPs, which gives a very comprehensive service to primary care, ensuring that patients can receive the best care plan.
“The new technology has also reduced the length of time medical scientists spend on various testing, therefore improving efficiencies in the laboratory.”
Minister Harris also officially opened the new Postgraduate Medical Learning Centre at LUH. This new facility will enable the teaching of clinical skills to healthcare practitioners at the hospital. It will include a medical simulation room equipped with advanced educational technology.
Mr Murphy added: ”The Postgraduate Medical Learning Centre will facilitate the learning that every healthcare professional will need but will not always be able to engage in during real life patient care.
“Medical simulation will allow healthcare professionals perfect their clinical skills, systems and communications skills in a mock situation to ensure that patients are offered the best clinical care and best possible outcomes.
“The provision of this facility at LUH will assist in the recruitment and retention of junior and senior healthcare staff. In an ever-changing medical world with emergent technologies and techniques, this facility will provide the space and equipment to allow our doctors continually develop their knowledge and skills.”
These two projects are part of the ongoing rebuild projects that have been underway at LUH since late 2013.
Work has also commenced on the new Coronary Care Unit and the Haematology/Oncology ward development, which will provide enhanced facilities for patients, including an increased number of isolation rooms, which are expected to be completed in April 2017.
Mr Murphy said: “We have redeveloped the Emergency Department / Acute Medical Assessment Unit, the Pharmacy Department, the Pulmonary Laboratory, the Chapels, the Catering and Dining facilities, the Pathology Laboratory and the interim in-patient Physiotherapy and OT facility.