Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal Charlie McConalogue has urged the Taoiseach to use his position to ensure Letterkenny University Hospital’s funding request to re-open the Short Day Ward is approved.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy McConalogue called on the Taoiseach to work with the Minister for Health and the HSE to secure funding for the ward.
This move would increase the hospital’s capacity to 350 beds.
Deputy McConalogue explained, “The submission for funding to re-open the short stay ward was made in the summer. We are now in the depths of winter and this request has still not been approved.
“I cannot understand how we are still waiting for this funding to be approved when it is obvious to anyone that the hospital is at breaking point. I have raised this issue continually with the Minister for Health, HSE and the Taoiseach and they have acknowledged that this funding would greatly ease the pressure on services and staff.
“Why is the Government and the HSE failing to act? I am urging them to approve this funding as a matter of urgency. Hundreds of patients have already been put through an unnecessary ordeal in trying to access services at LUH – it is unfair to continue to force sick people to wait for days to gain access to their local hospital. This funding must be approved immediately”.
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