Public meeting planned regarding Letterkenny University Hospital concerns

The Letterkenny Hospital Campaign Group are to host a public meeting to address the escalating and continuing concerns at Letterkenny University Hospital.

The meeting will be held in the Mount Errigal Hotel on Thursday, November 30, at 8pm. This platform has also been offered to representatives of the GPs and hospital Consultants who recently described Letterkenny Hospital as being ‘’at risk of service collapse unless an intervention takes place...’’.

Mary T Sweeney, Chair of the Letterkenny Hospital Campaign Group said: "To hear such a stark warning from our hospital consultants must surely be frightening for current patients and those with chronic medical conditions, who depend on frequent admissions to our Hospital for treatment. 

“Our group feels that this is a critically important opportunity for the people from right across Donegal, to row in behind these brave Doctors and Consultants, in support of a better service for our patients and staff.

“To date, we have a number of speakers confirmed’’, she said  ‘’and we are inviting other speakers who have a personal story to share, to contact us, if they wish to speak publicly at the meeting’’. To participate please contact us at letterkennyhospitalcampaign@gmail.com or 0876707002.

“The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly will be invited to attend on the night. To make sure that your personal story is aired and documented on the night, we would like the members of the public, to bring along a written account of their personal stories or experiences. With your permission, we will then forward those records to both the Minister for Health and to the Saolta Hospital Group following the meeting.

“We believe that the personal experiences of patients and families are crucial to gain a full understanding, of the many failures and shortcomings experienced in the current services, and what needs to be fixed at Letterkenny Hospital.

“We are delighted to hear that Minister Donnelly is set to visit Letterkenny University Hospital this Friday, November 24, to meet with consultants and GPs. We are disappointed that he has not yet responded to our request to meet with our group, but we are still hopeful of a positive response.

“The provision of a top-class hospital is one of the most important issues facing us in Donegal right now.  Irrespective of political leanings, solutions need to be found immediately to restore confidence in our local hospital, for patients and staff alike. I would encourage everyone to make an effort to be there on the night for this crucial meeting, to show a clear sign of unity and community strength to the Government and all its Ministers, from the people of Donegal.”