Posted online: Apr 4th, 2008

By Elaine McFadden
elaine@letterkennypost.com
The Accident and Emergency Unit at Letterkenny General Hospital has been rated among the lowest in the country this week.
An internet published survey has found that the Letterkenny is on the lower end of the scale for satisfying patients and relatives with facilities and waiting times.
Irishhealth.com carried out a report on services in the Accident and Emergency departments in hospitals around the country and found that Letterkenny General comes in at number 36 and 38 respectively for waiting times and facilities, out of 40 hospitals surveyed.
An average score of 46% was recorded for patients and relatives satisfaction with waiting times at the A&E in Letterkenny General, while 43% was the average for satisfaction with facilities.
These scores were out of a 57.5% national average.
In a parliamentary question recently, Donegal Fine Gael TD Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the building of the new accident and emergency department at Letterkenny General, which is hope to improve satisfaction ratings there.
“I asked the Minister for Health the timeframe and the funding committed by the Government to the much needed new unit at Letterkenny General,” Deputy McHugh said.
“In a reply from Alan Moran, the Manager of the Western Hospital Group I have been told that it is envisaged that subject to the HSE tender process, a contractor will be appointed to the project this summer, with an 18-24 month construction period,” he said.
The approved capital budget for the project is approximately €24 million.