There were more than 4,300 cancellations at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) last year, according to Sinn Fein.
Referring to the figures, Donegal deputies Pádraig MacLochlainn and Pearse Doherty said the government’s lack of a plan for overcrowding was impacting directly on waiting lists.
“This government is failing to tackle hospital overcrowding which is leading to record levels of cancellations at Letterkenny University Hospital,” Deputy MacLochlainn said.
“There were 4,311 hospital appointments cancelled in 2023, up significantly from the previous year. It is a worrying increase.”
Over the last 13 years, he added, successive governments have made the health service worse.
“They have decimated local health services and created a crisis in our hospitals. They don’t have a plan for hospital overcrowding, and this is forcing hospitals to rely on cancellations. This is shifting the problem from overcrowded EDs onto lengthy waiting lists. This solution is not sustainable.”
Deputy Doherty claimed Sinn Fein has a plan for the health service to improve access, tackle hospital overcrowding, and reduce lengthy waiting lists.
“Sinn Féin would deliver 3,000 hospital and community beds to tackle overcrowding and inefficiency, end the recruitment embargo and train more health care professionals to safely staff the health service,” he said.
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