‘In turmoil’: Councillor's shock at staffing crisis in Letterkenny hospital

Letterkenny Councillor Tómas Seán Devine has called for a meeting with the manager of Letterkenny University Hospital following his own 'shocking' experience.

Cllr Devine is recovering from a recent health battle which saw him lose power in his legs.

The 100% Redress Party representative spent eight weeks in Letterkenny University Hospital this summer.

While he credits the staff as amazing, he said that something must be done to support the recruitment crisis.

"What I saw first-hand in there was shocking," Cllr Devine told a meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District.

"The staff in that hospital are amazing, from the porters right through to the doctors, the problem is that we haven't got enough of them.

"Enough is enough, we need to do something."

Cllr Devine told the council that the hospital is "in turmoil" with pensioners being left to wait on trolleys and wheelchairs for up to 48 hours.

His motion, which was passed, called for a meeting with Hospital Manager Seán Murphy.

Seconding the motion, Independent Councillor Declan Meehan said that the staffing shortage is not just a patient safety concern, but an issue that must be addressed to protect the wellbeing of the 'excellent' existing staff.

"We need to understand the issues and try and map a way forward," Cllr Meehan said.