A former Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon at Letterkenny University Hospital has today questioned the political emphasis on cross border health cooperation, saying in the aftermath of Brexit, he does not believe that is the answer to Letterkenny University Hospital’s problems.
On today’s Nine til Noon Show, Dr Peter O’Rourke said the hospital is not receiving the investment it needs from the Saolta Hospital Group, claiming it is concentrating its efforts on developing services in Galway.
He believes Letterkenny University Hospital is at risk of being downgraded because of the lack of investment..…….
In response to Mr O’Rourke’s comments, Saolta says it has identified a bed capacity deficit across the region as part of the national identification of inpatient bed requirements.
In a statement, they say increased requirements for inpatient, ICU beds and day case beds has been noted with 91 more beds forecasted to be needed at Letterkenny University Hospital by 2030.
The group says it continues to progress additional capacity with 38 additional beds being made available at Letterkenny University Hospital in the last two years while works are ongoing to build capacity for renal and day oncology services.
The hospital is also working with Estates colleagues to update the development control plan for the site and submissions are being prepared in relation to an ED and Orthodontic Department extension and for the establishment of an Ambulatory Urology Unit, Paediatric OPD and Ambulatory Cancer Unit.
Saolta statement in full:
The Saolta Group has identified a bed capacity deficit across our region as part of the national identification of inpatient bed requirements.
Saolta recently completed a Demand and Capacity Analysis for our Model 3 hospitals, to identify the future inpatient and day case bed capacity requirements up to 2030.
This has identified increased requirements for inpatient (including ICU beds) and day case beds for all of our Model 3 hospitals including Letterkenny, University Hospital. Saolta continues to progress additional capacity across the group. In the last two years 38 beds have come on stream in Letterkenny University Hospital and we are building capacity in LUH in relation to renal services and day oncology services. The expansion of the renal department will increase bay stations from 14 to 21 while the extension of the Oncology Day Unit will allow for an increase from 8 bays to 15 bays.
The hospital is also working with Estates colleagues to update the development control plan for the site.
Submissions are also being prepared in relation to a ED extension, Orthodontic Department extension and for the establishment of an Ambulatory Urology Unit, Paediatric OPD and Ambulatory Cancer Unit.
