Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal Charlie McConalogue has called on the HSE and the Minister for Health to return dermatology clinics to Letterkenny University Hospital.
Donegal patients are currently travelling to Sligo University Hospital for treatment since the HSE temporarily suspended outreach clinics at LUH in 2015.
However a second consultant has now been appointed in Sligo, which should allow for outreach clinics to be resumed at LUH for Donegal patients.
Deputy McConalogue explained, “The HSE, when suspending outreach clinics in LUH over two years ago, said that this was a temporary arrangement due to there being only one consultant dermatologist covering the North West Region at that time.”
“However, in their latest reply, the HSE have confirmed that a second consultant dermatologist is now in place at Sligo. This should allow for a consultant to resume clinics at LUH and would vastly reduce journey times for Donegal patients.”
“I have also raised the development of a Phototherapy service at LUH with the HSE. This is an essential service for Psoriasis sufferers and the HSE have confirmed that a business case is currently being explored with regard to providing this service in Letterkenny. I will be pushing for the HSE to accept this plan in order to provide this vital service for Donegal Psoriasis sufferers.”
However, first and foremost, outreach clinics must be resumed at LUH and I am calling on the HSE and the Minister for Health to urgently review the situation in the North West with a view to returning clinics to LUH as soon as possible”.
