Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Tuesday 17°CWednesday 18°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

sponsor banner
sponsor banner
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
HealthNews

LUH Short Stay Ward expected to reopen in New Year

written by Rachel McLaughlin November 22, 2018
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

The Minister for Health has assured local TDs that the Short Stay Ward at Letterkenny University Hospital will be reopened this winter 2018/19.

The 19 extra beds are expected to be opened in the unit as part of the HSE Winter Initiative 2018/19.

Minister Simon Harris confirmed last night that the LUH Short Stay Unit is included in the next bed capacity increase currently being finalised by the HSE.

Pressure is now being put on the Minister to ensure that this commitment will be met.

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty called on Minister Harris to alleviate pressures within the health service, in particular at LUH, for the current winter period.

Speaking last night (Wednesday) in the Dáil, Teachta Doherty said: “I am raising this issue again as I have done over the last 18 months because that is the time frame in which management at Letterkenny University Hospital have asked for the overcrowding pressure to be alleviated at the hospital.

“On average, there were 19 patients on trolleys everyday last year yet, within yards from where those patients are languishing on trolleys, there is a ward which has capacity for 20 beds.

“No capital investment is needed but rather, what is needed is for those beds to be sanctioned and in the region of €1.8M to employ the nurses and support staff required to service that ward.

“This measure is needed to relieve pressures on a hospital which is seriously suffering due to overcrowding and lack of capacity.

“The HSE supports this measure and in fact they have put it forward as one of its own proposals.

“Deputy Joe McHugh went on local radio and went as far as to say that not only would the ward be reopened but he told the public in Donegal that he has instructed the manager at the hospital to start recruiting staff.

“I sincerely hope that that is indeed the case because this ward needs to be opened and in place for the winter and to relieve pressures at the hospital.

“Minister, can you now give us a commitment on this issue? Because any information which I have received from you to date indicates that the facility will not be opened this winter, and there are even question marks as to whether or not it’ll be opened next year.”

Responding to Deputy Doherty’s question last night, Minister Harris said:

“Minister McHugh is of course right. The funding will be provided for those beds.

“We have increased bed capacity already […] for 240 more beds within the system this year and 79 due to come on-stream between now and the early part of next year.

“We’ve asked the HSE to identify how to deliver the 2,600 beds.

“The Letterkenny Short Stay Unit is in that next tranche. I hope and expect it to be delivered as part of the winter plan that we’re finalising.

“However, I’ll be happy to correspond with Donegal Deputies in relation to this.”

LUH Short Stay Ward expected to reopen in New Year was last modified: November 22nd, 2018 by Rachel McLaughlin
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

Tags:
healthLetterkenny University HospitalPearse Doherty TDSimon Harris
Rachel McLaughlin

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Dunfanaghy house fire may have been arson...

2 minutes ago

Night-time works mark start of Lurgybrack road...

1 hour ago

Dungloe’s Fr Johnny Moore celebrates Silver Jubilee

1 hour ago

Met Éireann invites public to name this...

3 hours ago

Patchy rain to start today but will...

3 hours ago

Donegal hillwalkers urged to carry navigation gear

3 hours ago

Donegal’s sexual assault unit records five-year high

5 hours ago

Man who abused door staff and Gardai...

15 hours ago

Inishowen man set to savour Rose Escort...

16 hours ago

Young man caught speeding at 137kph in...

16 hours ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

Donegal County Council

Facebook
Donegal County Council
Advertisement
Advertisement
Donegal Daily Jobs

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Sales & Services
  • Obituaries
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Council News

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Our Sites

Donegal Woman
Donegal Woman
Donegal Daily

© 2025 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
Website by owenod


Back To Top.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy