Deputy Charlie McConalogue has called for the closed short stay ward at Letterkenny University Hospital to be repened to increase bed capacity and ease pressure on the Emergency Department.
Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal, Charlie McConalogue called on the HSE and the Minister for Health to urgently approve a funding request from LUH to reopen the ward.
The ward, which was closed during the summer, would increase the hospital’s bed capacity from 330 beds to 350.
Deputy McConalogue commented, “Management at LUH is seeking an investment of just under €2m, which would fund the reopening and staffing of this much needed short stay ward.
“This is a relatively small investment, in a hospital which has been the victim of chronic underfunding over the past number of years. The HSE needs to recognise this and urgently approve this request.
“Increasing bed capacity in the hospital would ease the pressure on the hospital, which is creaking at the seams. It is now the norm, rather than the exception for patients to be left waiting in the Emergency Department because there are no beds in the wards available.
“Over the last few years, we have seen the full capacity protocol implemented numerous times – with patients being advised to stay away from the hospital unless completely necessary. This is simply not acceptable.
“The investment, which LUH management has requested, would go some way to easing the pressure on the hospital, especially as we enter the busy winter season.
“I am calling on the HSE and the Minister for Health to expedite this funding request and approve it as soon as possible,” concluded McConalogue.
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