Management at a major hospital in the North West have apologised and pledged to make improvements at its ED.
It’s after almost 80 GPs in Donegal voiced “huge patient safety concerns” earlier this week ahead of an expected winter surge in emergency department demand.
In a statement, the Saolta group, which oversees Letterkenny University Hospital said it has been “extremely challenged” by a sustained increase in demand and a “lack of available beds” for patients.
Responding to the concerns of local doctors, the Saolta group said that it deeply regrets that any patient is facing a long wait for a bed after presenting to the emergency department.
It said: “Like other hospitals around the country LUH is extremely challenged by a sustained increase in demand and a lack of available beds.
The group added that patient safety is “at the forefront of everything they do” in the hospital.
The Saolta hospital group said it had directed additional staff to the emergency department in preparation of worsening conditions.
These range from three new consultants, to “approval” for a further eight nurses and a health care assistant, while an extra porter has been rostered to assist with admission and timely movements for diagnostics.
It is also proceeding with plans for an extension to the department which is being worked on with the HSE’s Estates department.
