THE NEW MEDICAL WING AT LKGH - BUT AT WHAT COST?
OFFICIALLY at least the unions and management at Letterkenny General Hospital say they are happy that the gynaecology ward is to close this weekend.
But angry members of staff say tomorrow’s march in the town in protest at the ward’s closure will go ahead – in a last ditch bid to reverse the decision.
Services will be transferred to the new Medical Block which officially opens next Thursday.
But it was the ward which staff wanted to keep.
“The staff were told on Thursday that the Gynae Ward belonging to the women of this county is to close on Monday September 10th,” said one insider.
“ The ward is to “wind down ” this weekend despite the objections of thousands through Donegal Daily, via the on line petition and countless emails and phone calls.
“The time has now come to fight the good fight. We have talked the talk, now let us all really walk the great walk on Saturday. We need to make noise. We need to make a difference on Saturday and beyond.
“The news coming out of the hospital is truly grim. Ladies who are miscarrying their babies after their 16th week will now go to Maternity Unit, this despite assurances that no woman would be in a unit with newly delivered mums.
“ After 6pm all women with pregnancy related problems have to go to the Surgical 2 ward on level D. No dedicated treatment room or scanner is available. Women will have to pass the High Dependency Unit which will have male patients.
“This situation is completely unacceptable and any attempt to proceed with this regressive decision will be reprehensible. Please stop the closure of the Gynae Ward. March with us on Saturday and let us show the HSE what solidarity , integrity and passion really is.”
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