One of Letterkenny University Hospital’s best known consultants has tendered his notice.
Emergency Department Consultant Mr Gerry Lane has been at the forefront of emergency care at the hospital for the past 21 years.
He tendered his notice in recent days and will leave his post in the New Year.
Mr Lane contacted colleagues at the hospital to let them know of his decision.
He told them of his decision and thanked them for their support and how ‘super’ the emergency department at the hospital is.
He said “Together, we have delivered really excellent care to nearly 700,000 patients, and you have supported me, and them, through the darkest, and the worst, of their days and nights.
“What I owe you I can never repay, I can only thank you for treating them, and me, like family and bid you “au revoir”.
“You may never fully realise just how super LUH ED is, but I know it in my bones. It has been my honour to work alongside you. Thank you…Gerry Lane.”
Mayors reception honouring Gerry Lane and Hugh McBride – The Council Chamber in Letterkenny Public Service Centre was heaving last night as family, friends and supporters of Gerry Lane and Hugh McBride attended the Mayors reception hosted in their honour. Photo Clive Wasson
Mr Lane’s departure will be received with great sadness across Donegal where he has served the community so well.
In April 2018 he was afforded a Mayor’s Reception by then Mayor of Letterkenny Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh.
Many guests on the night spoke about the amazing care and treatment they received from the hospital and from Mr Lane.
One Termon man, Benny Trearty, told how Mr Lane saved his life after he suffered a ‘silent heart attack’ outside the hospital.
Many other people across Donegal will no doubt have similar stories about Mr Lane and his “hands on” approach to emergency care.
He was praised not just for his service to the hospital but to the health and welfare of the people of Donegal.
Dr Gerry Lane fronting the RSA’s road safety campaign.
His contribution to the National Road Safety campaign for which he fronted a hard-hitting television campaign was also highlighted.
Gerry Lane is a native of Drogheda but said he regards the countryside outside Letterkenny and the village of Rathmullan as his spiritual home.
He qualified in 1985 from Trinity College Dublin and worked and trained in Scotland, Ireland, Iraq, UAE, England and Northern Ireland over his 15 year training period.
In 2001 he was appointed by NWHB as Foundation Consultant in Emergency Medicine for Donegal and Letterkenny and was the Clinical Designer of the current Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital which opened 2012 and is now one of the best performing units in Ireland and is used even now as an exemplar.
He was a member of the Ministerial Emergency Department Taskforce and is a lecturer at RCSI and Senior Lecturer in Clinical Practice in NUIG and Donegal Medical Academy as well as Course Director of multiple ALSG Courses.
He is married for the last 30 years to Pauline and has four children Rosèmary, Heather, Nicholas and Patrick and is a long-term advocate and supporter of special needs groups such as Buddy Bears Charity and the exemplary Little Angels.
He is also well known for his work promoting road safety and highlighting the devastating consequences of a crash in the ‘Crashed Lives’ RSA campaign and describes himself as an “admirer and co-worker of the rapidly evolving and life saving Ambulance Service, the superb Fire Service and the amazing An Garda Siochána who put themselves in potential harms way to assist others”.
