HSE services throughout Donegal continue to be affected by the recent criminal ransomware attack.
While some progress is being made, unfortunately as of yet, some areas are still not completely back to normal.
The following is an update for the CHO 1 area which includes Donegal.
Services Updates
Audiology Services are now operating normally
Ophthalmic appointments in Sligo and Donegal are proceeding as normal.
Donegal Community Diagnostics ie X-ray are now operational, however there is currently a backlog to clear.
Letterkenny Sexual Health Clinic is running as normal.
At Sligo Sexual Heatlh Clinic review appointments continue as normal. However there are currently delays in the ability to provide appointments for new clients.
Donegal Psychology online group sessions remain cancelled until further notice.
Vaccination Programme
The COVID-19 vaccination programme is progressing well. We wish to remind people to attend for their vaccination appointments.
The portal remains open to those aged between 40 and 69 years of age..
You can register for a COVID-19 vaccine online via HSE website or by phone, which is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday on LoCall: 1850 24 1850 or 01 240 87870
To register at HSE.ie you will need a mobile phone number, an email address, your PPS number and your eircode.
If you have Covid symptoms, do not attend a vaccination appointment if you have one scheduled. You can call HSELive on 1850 24 1850 to request a new appointment date.
Covid Symptoms
The HSE would like to remind people of the symptoms of COVID-19 include: a fever (high temperature – 38 degrees Celsius or above), a new cough – this can be any kind of cough, not just dry, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties and loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
You may not have all of these symptoms. It can take up to 14 days for symptoms to show. They can be similar to symptoms of cold and flu.
Covid-19 Testing
Testing continues throughout the CHO Area 1 (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo).
Due to the cyber attack on the HSE’s IT system, it is not possible at the moment to be referred for COVID-19 testing by your GP.
If you have symptoms or do not have symptoms, you can attend your testing centre without an appointment.
The close contact system is up and running and close contacts will be contacted by text with information on their appointment and are asked to follow the instructions in the text.
Full details of testing centres are available at hse.ie
Test centres are operating in the following venues across CHO 1 area at these times;
Testing at Castlesaunderson, Belturbet, Co. Cavan is open daily from 10am to 6pm.
Donegal at St Conal’s Healthcare Campus Letterkenny is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 7pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm
The online registration system continues at St Conal’s COVID-19 Testing centre.
Those living in the vicinity of Letterkenny are able to log on to the online system and book their COVID-19 test up to 24 hours in advance. Work is currently underway to extend this online booking facility to other COVID-19 test centres around the country.
The Cleary Centre, Donegal Town is open Monday to Friday 09:30 am to 5pm and is closed Saturday and Sunday.
Leitrim at the North West Business and Tech Park Carrick on Shannon is open Monday to Friday from 2pm to 4.30pm and is closed Saturday and Sunday.