Father of Ronan Roddy tells of 'horrendous' experience at Letterkenny hospital

The father of a Donegal man with Down syndrome who died in January has spoken of the family’s ‘horrendous’ experience in Letterkenny University Hospital.

Popular Stranorlar man Ronan Roddy passed away at the Donegal Hospice following a four-month ordeal exacerbated by a series of incidents at the hospital.

Ronan, who was aged 44 when he died, worked in Macs Deli in Letterkenny for 26 years and was a Finn Harps fanatic, serving as a match day steward at Finn Park.

On Thursday night, his father, Phil, addressed a public meeting at the Mount Errigal Hotel, which was organised by the Letterkenny Hospital Campaign Group, where he outlined the difficulties they encountered.

Between September 2022 and January 2023, Ronan went through the emergency department at LUH five times.

On the first occasion, having been referred from Our Lady's Hospital, Manorhamilton with a liver abnormality, Ronan spent a staggering 35 hours in a wheelchair. Having initially presented at 3pm on a Wednesday, a bed was only provided at 2am on the Friday morning.

Subsequently, Ronan spent a further 24 hours in a wheelchair and his father told how he had to ‘create a scene’ twice in order to get a bed.

“Another time, Ronan was roaring in pain and no one came to his assistance,” Mr Roddy, who spoke emotionally and passionately, said. “When he did get admission, one time he spent one week in a treatment room that had no windows. There were four walls, a door and no television.”

Phil Roddy addressing Thursday night's meeting at the Mount Errigal Hotel.

Phil recalled how Ronan spent another full week in a four-bed ward opposite a dying man and spent another fortnight in a four-bed ward alongside a person who ‘roamed the ward and urinated against the wall’.

“The beds manager dismissed my wife when she asked to have him changed,” Mr Roddy said. “My wife was told that Ronan was lucky to have a bed and the manager said he had more important things to do and he left down the phone.”

Having sought a meeting with the hospital manager, Seán Murphy, with no success, it transpired to the Roddy family that some staff raised concerns about how Ronan was being treated.

“One doctor said to me that if there was anything wrong with him that Letterkenny hospital would be the last place he would go,” Mr Roddy said. “One night, Ronan was due to get painkillers at 9.30pm and it was 12.30am before he got them. It is nearly impossible to get a doctor at nighttime. The family had to be with him 24-7 and I spent nights sleeping on a chair.”

Ronan’s first discharge was described by his own doctor as a failed discharge.

His father said: “There were no notes, just a letter outlining his medication. We have discussed the experience with the Down Syndrome Association and I have their full backing in trying to get better care for people.”

Following Ronan’s passing in January, Phil and son Timothy met with Mr Murphy to outline their issues.

Mr Roddy said: “He did promise that it would be properly investigate It has been referred since to an independent investigator and that is still ongoing.

“Ronan was admitted five times to the hospital and sent home five times with painkillers. We have a number of issues, including his care in the hospital and his non-care when he was out of hospital.

“There was no diagnosis of Ronan’s ailment and he was discharged at Christmas with no care or help. At this stage, Ronan was unable to walk and 80-year-old parents were expected to manoeuvre him. We asked Letterkenny hospital about providing a wheelchair, but they said that they were unable to provide any such support.”

Ronan’s family were left devastated at how Ronan’s terminal illness was communicated in a telephone conversation.

“A doctor from the Donegal Hospice was actually at our home at the time and was able to speak to the consultant,” Mr Roddy said. “The communication from a liver biopsy was communicated over the phone and not in person. The diagnosis was terminal. This should have been communicated in person and with the appropriate supports in place.”

The family understand that the investigation into their experience is near completion. Mr Roddy has demanded a meeting with the person overseeing the review.

He said: “We want to let them know the impact that this whole experience has had on our family. It was a horrendous experience that we have had of the hospital. Letterkenny University Hospital is a dangerous place for vulnerable patients.”