Public asked to join protest at Letterkenny University Hospital this Saturday

Letterkenny University Hospital will be one of the 14 hospital locations to hold a community and staff Day of Action this Saturday, January 21 at 1pm to highlight the overcrowding crisis that is impacting the staff and patients.

Chairperson of the Letterkenny Hospital Campaign, Mary T. Sweeney has condemned the latest figures from the HSE which shows A&E continues to deal with record attendance levels.

“On Tuesday this week, Letterkenny was second only to Cork University as the worst affected hospital in the country with 54 patients waiting on trolleys.

"Hopefully, this Saturday will see one of the most widespread mobilisations of citizens in this country in support of a functioning health service.

"In some places we expect thousands to turn out and in other cases, it will be hundreds. But the message is crystal-clear - there is deep anger and frustration across Ireland at the constant chaos in our failing health service and our message in Donegal is simply: “If you care - please be there,” said Ms Sweeney.

 She claims this crisis has not happened by accident.

"There is a capacity crisis in the A&E system nationally, largely because the HSE has closed down many of the step-down beds and A&Es in recent years at a time when the population of the state is growing. It just does not make sense.

"The HSE cut 6,000 hospital beds since 2008. There are 30% too few GPs in the state and we are short of 700 consultants. We are short 200 ICU beds. Pay and conditions for staff are so bad that many are voting with their feet and leaving the HSE altogether and sadly many are leaving the country."

Ms Sweeney added the authorities need to stop this brain drain of experienced doctors and nurses and experienced healthcare staff.

"This downward spiral in our health service needs to be stopped now,” she said.

Growing Interest

Commenting on Saturday’s demonstration at Letterkenny Hospital she welcomed the growing interest in the campaign.

“We have received a fantastic response from those who we have talked to on the ground. We have also invited all 37 Donegal County Councillors many of whom sit on the HSE Regional Health Forum Group and again we have had a positive response.

"However, I want to emphasise the non-party political nature of this campaign. This is a cross-community initiative - no party, union or group can do this on its own. What is at stake transcends all party politics.

"The main purpose of this event on Saturday is to highlight the overcrowding experienced in our A&E department and the impact on staff and patients.

"We wish to underline to the Government that additional staff and resources need to be prioritised for Donegal towards frontline services and that accountable Value for Money is the key driver of all Health Service expenditure.

"We would also encourage the public to highlight on protest placards what they feel represents the failings they have experienced, in their personal message to the HSE services, whether its access to Mental Health, Children’s Services, A&E, and other services.. 

"We need a change of attitude from the Department of Health and HSE and this can only be achieved by shouting as loudly as possible, all together. And in Donegal, we need to shout at least twice as loud. 

"There are signs of change coming. This winter’s chaos, which is costing hundreds of lives, needs to be a turning point in the development of a functioning health system in Ireland.

"We urge people and families to come out in huge numbers to the Bus Bay, immediately above Letterkenny Hospital’s new A&E entrance, on Kilmacrennan Road, on Saturday at 1pm to push home this point loud and clear so the Government and the HSE listen.

"I hope the people of Donegal will gather into Letterkenny to make it one of the loudest protests in the country,” said Ms Sweeney.