The HSE has launched an investigation the circumstances surrounding a dying 92-year-old who was left waiting 24 hours on a trolley at Letterkenny University Hospital.
The pensioner, who has since died, was discharged on January 10 after a short stay but, after his condition deteriorated, he was rushed back to LUH on January 15.
This morning’s Irish Daily Mail reports that the elderly man spent 24 hours on a trolley in A&E, during which time he was diagnosed with pneumonia.
The following day, January 16, saw 36 people waiting on a bed at LUH.
The man, from Inishowen, was suffering from gastro-intestinal problems, a respiratory tract infection and a general deterioration in his overall health.
Initially, according to a family friend who spoke to the Irish Daily Mail, he had waited more than 16 hours on a trolley before being admitted on January 5.
General Manager at LUH, Sean Murphy, apologised to the family in a letter quoted in the newspaper.
“I apologise most sincerely that we were unable to provide an appropriate care environment earlier,” Mr Murphy wrote.
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