Serious concerns have been expressed over the future of day services at St Joseph’s Community Hospital in Stranorlar.
Families were informed that Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy services will be discontinued from this Friday. This is in addition to the loss of day services for older people and those with additional needs.
Election hopeful, Mary T Sweeney, said she was contacted by a number of families last night in relation to the loss of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy services.
The Aontú representative is also chair of the Letterkenny Hospital Campaign Group.
“I was alarmed to hear this evening from concerned relatives of the residents of St Joseph’s Community Hospital, as word is emerging, that the much needed Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists services will be lost/discontinued from this Friday 23rd,” Ms Sweeney said.
“The elderly residents there, many of whom experience reduced or limited mobility, would greatly depend on both OT and Physio daily to aid with circulation and dexterity.”
She added the care displayed to the most vulnerable in our communities is being ‘eroded by the HSE’ and this must be challenged.
She referred to the HSE 2024 plan which states the Enhanced Community Care Programme (ECC) will continue to roll out nationally to ensure more people can access healthcare in their local community rather than within the acute hospital setting.
“Where is that integrated care programme for the residents of St Joseph’s Community Hospital and why was it withdrawn – when will this stop,” she asked.
“We need immediate action from across Donegal communities to support the retention of essential HSE services for the elderly in St Josephs and for those women undergoing Mastectomies. I am asking you to write to your local TDs and also to the Minister for Health to remind him how important these services are for the people of Donegal.”
We asked the HSE for a comment
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