Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly failed to show up again for a scheduled Dáil discussion about Letterkenny University Hospital last night.
This is the second week in a row where Sinn Féin deputies Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Pearse Doherty tabled topical issues about LUH.
Both deputies are calling for an external review of Letterkenny University Hospital, where local medics have highlighted grave concerns for patient safety in the overcrowded emergency department.
Deputy Pearse Doherty said the no-show was a display of “arrogance”.
“It’s arrogance to the people of Donegal, to the people tomorrow morning who will still be in chairs or trollies in the A&E. It’s the people who have received notification that their treatment is being postponed once again. It’s the people wondering will they ever get that appointment that they need, to see a consultant to deal with an ailment that could have a serious impact on their health,” Deputy Doherty said.
Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn said he expected the Minister, who is very aware of the crisis, to turn up to discuss the matter.
“He hasn’t indicated that he’s coming to Donegal, he said something today about ‘in due course’. He can’t even come into the Dáil chamber and I think it’s utmost disrespect being show people of Donegal, that here we are for the second Tuesday in a row, that we do not have the Minister for Health.”
Deputy MacLochlainn said that Sinn Fein Health Spokesperson David Cullinane will visit Letterkenny University Hospital this Thursday to meet with frontline staff.
“He will show respect and meet with GPs and consultants and he will listen to their concerns,” Deputy Mac Lochlainn said.
