The HSE says that certain physiotherapy services will continue to be provided at St Joseph’s Hospital in Stranorlar.
It was after an announcement made earlier this week that necessary fire safety construction works in other parts of the hospital meant that patients would be relocated to the Primary Care Physiotherapy Department.
This reduction in capacity now means that Primary Care Physiotherapy patients will have to be treated elsewhere, in order to maintain St Joseph’s capacity to manage patient discharges from Letterkenny University Hospital.
However in-patient physiotherapy services at St Joseph’s will not be affected.
Primary Care Physiotherapy care will now be relocated temporarily to Donegal Town Primary Care Centre for patients living in the Altapaste, Cloghan, Cappry, Goland, Knock & Stranorlar ED areas – and to Lifford Community Hospital for patients residing in the Convoy, Gleneely, Killygordon and Drumkeen ED areas.
Affected patients are also being asked that from Tuesday 27th February 2024, to contact 074 974 0623 to speak to a Physiotherapist.
In a statement, the HSE said the following:
“Following an inspection undertaken by HIQA essential fire upgrade works were identified that needed to be completed within a specified timeframe to ensure that HIQA requirements are met and the hospital remains fully operational.”
“In order to complete these works there was a requirement for patients to be relocated within the hospital the most suitable area identified was the Primary Care Physiotherapy department (formerly known as Drogheda Ward). This ensures that existing patients in the hospital are catered for and will not be disturbed by the works. In addition it ensures that bed numbers can be retained to facilitate short-stay admissions from the acute sector and to ensure that the continuity of hospital discharges and patient flow from Letterkenny University Hospital are maintained.”
“To facilitate this Primary Care Physiotherapy will relocate to alternative accommodation with immediate effect as an interim solution.”
“Occupational Therapy Services are a home based service and will not be affected by this move.”
“The services have communicated with affected service users advising on which centre to attend for appointment and notified all other stakeholders of the relocation.”
“Physiotherapy Services will continue to be provided in the hospital.”
“In the longer term work is ongoing to secure suitable appropriate accommodation in the Finn Valley area to enable Primary Care Physiotherapy Services to be restored to the local area as soon as possible.”
“The HSE wishes to confirm that as part of its overall service delivery plan and in the best interests for service users in the longer term Primary Care Services including physiotherapy services will be provided from Finn Valley area in accordance with patient’s needs.”
