Solutions to LUH's overcrowding 'urgently needed'

A Donegal TD has urged the Minister for Health to address the overcrowding issues at Letterkenny University Hospital.

TD Charles Ward has said that overcrowding at Letterkenny University Hospital has reached ‘a dangerously critical point’, following an INMO report that revealed that last month was the worst October on record for hospital overcrowding.

The report stated that the overcrowding crisis is consistently worse than previous years, with over 111,000 patients treated on trolleys so far in 2026. It also detailed that 701 patients were on trolleys at Letterkenny University Hospital last month, with 951 patients on trolleys at Sligo University Hospital, a total of 1,652 in the North West.

“And yet, this Government still fails to deliver a fair pay agreement for our public sector workers,” said Deputy Ward, “allowing the public sector pay talks to collapse and leaving the workers with no choice but to strike again next week. The hospital staff are on their knees; there’s a cost of living crisis. A strike would be a disaster for our hospitals, particularly Letterkenny.

“I am hearing devastating stories every single day from constituents, waiting hours in A&E, being sent home long before they are ready, and then not being able to avail of homecare packages. Week after week, the overcrowding in Letterkenny only seems to get worse.”

Deputy Ward said he was in contact with 100% Redress Party Councillor Tomás Sean Devine regarding an older gentleman who sat in the same chair in A&E for over 28 hours. He also described the situation of a woman who was discharged one night and was sent straight back to A&E by her GP the next morning.

“She should never have been discharged in the first place,” Cllr Devine said. “But the staff there are under immense pressure.”

“We cannot allow this to continue. Patients must be given fast and effective treatment as soon as they present; they shouldn’t be afraid to show up to the emergency department, as I know many older people in Donegal are, for fear of being left sick and uncomfortable on a chair in A&E or on a trolley in the corridor,” Deputy Ward said.

Deputy Ward urged the Minister for Health to intervene and address the overcrowding situation in Letterkenny University Hospital and to also ensure a fair pay agreement for public sector workers, including nurses, midwives and healthcare workers

“Patients deserve dignity and proper treatment in times of need. There is an urgent need for increased hospital capacity, improved staffing levels and better access to community-based healthcare services, particularly in the North West,” he said.