Staff urgently needed to re-open Ramelton hospital beds

Urgent recruitment is required to increase capacity at Ramelton Community Hospital, according to Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue.

The Fianna Fáil TD has today called on the HSE and the government to address staff shortages to relieve pressure on the hospital.

The hospital has capacity for 30 beds, however only 26 are currently occupied. McConalogue says the re-opening of the remaining four beds could have a knock-on effect of easing overcrowding at Letterkenny University Hospital.

Deputy McConalogue commented, “Ramelton provides excellent step down care and should be operating at full capacity, however four beds are closed as a result of staff shortages.

“This means people who could be discharged from Letterkenny University Hospital are having to remain there until a bed in another facility becomes available.  This in turn is impacting overcrowding at the hospital.

“With Letterkenny University Hospital already experiencing record trolley numbers this year, the re-opening of these four beds would make a real difference and would ease the pressure on an already overstretched system.”

McConalogue said the public afford to wait to see the beds at Ramelton Community Hospital reopened.

He added: “Staff must be identified and recruited immediately so that Ramelton can operate at maximum capacity. I will be pursuing this matter with the Minister for Health and the HSE at every opportunity.”