HSE celebrates 25 years of stroke and medical rehabilitation at St Conals Hospital Letterkenny

Letterkenny University Hospital is marking 25 years of providing specialist stroke and medical rehabilitation at the St. Conal’s Campus to patients in Donegal. The rehabilitation service, which is based in a purpose-built 19-bed unit, in St Conal’s Hospital Letterkenny, has supported patients on their recovery journey following stroke and other illnesses requiring further rehabilitation after an acute hospital stay.

The current Stroke and Medical Rehabilitation Unit opened at St. Conal’s Campus on 1 October 2021. It was designed specifically around the needs of patients requiring rehabilitation, with a fully equipped physiotherapy gym, dedicated Occupational Therapy facilities, Speech and Language Therapy, and access to medical social work and the hospital’s discharge liaison team.

The aim of the rehabilitation service is to give patients the time, support and specialist care they need to regain as much independence as possible and, where appropriate, return home.

The development of the rehabilitation service was the vision of Professor Ken Mulpeter, who recognised the need for a dedicated service for patients recovering from stroke and those who needed further rehabilitation following an acute admission. He understood that patients often needed more time and specialist support before they were ready to return home. The service was developed around a multidisciplinary approach, with doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists working together with patients and their families.

Clare McAleer, the first Unit Manager, also played a major role in developing the service. She visited rehabilitation units throughout the UK and Ireland, looking at different approaches and bringing the best ideas back to St. Conal’s. Working with Professor Mulpeter, she helped establish the model of care that remains at the heart of the service today. Dr Miranda later joined the team and brought further experience and knowledge to the service, helping to maintain and develop the standard of care provided to patients.

The unit is now staffed by two consultants, one Clinical Nurse Manager 2, one Clinical Nurse Manager 1, 17 nurses, 11 healthcare assistants, three physiotherapists, four physiotherapy assistants, three occupational therapists, three occupational therapy assistants and one Speech and Language Therapist. Catering and domestic staff also play an important role in the day-to-day running of the unit. Between August 2025 and September 2026, 162 patients were admitted to and discharged from the unit.

Dermot Monaghan Integrated Healthcare Manager for Donegal said, “the service has made a real difference to patients and their families over the years. For many people, leaving the acute hospital is really just the start of their recovery. The rehabilitation they receive afterwards can make a huge difference to what they are able to do for themselves and whether they can return home. The staff here have worked incredibly hard over the years to give patients the best possible chance of making that progress, and that is something we should all be very proud of.”

Seán Murphy, Letterkenny University Hospital Manager said, “The 25th Anniversary of the Stroke and Medical Rehabilitation Unit is an opportunity to recognise everyone who has contributed to the service. There are a lot of people who have played a part in building this service over the past 25 years, and this milestone gives us a chance to recognise their work and dedication. The most important thing is the difference the service makes to patients and their families. We have a very experienced team here and we look forward to continuing that work and providing the same high standard of care into the future.”

Noel Cullen, CNM 2 at the Stroke and Medical Rehabilitation Unit said, "the staff continue to see every day the difference rehabilitation can make. “It is very rewarding to see patients come into the unit and, over time, regain their confidence and independence. Sometimes the progress can be very small, but for a patient and their family it can mean everything. It is very much a team effort, and we are lucky to have such a dedicated group of staff who care so much about the people we look after. As the service looks towards the next 25 years, the team remains committed to providing the same high standard of care and rehabilitation to patients and their families.”

The Stroke and Medical Rehabilitation Unit will continue to focus on helping patients recover following stroke and other serious illnesses, with the goal of helping them regain their independence and return to their homes and communities wherever possible.

Photo Captions

Photo 1 - Stroke and Medical Rehab staff with senior management at the Stroke and Medical Rehab 25th Anniversary in St Conals Hospital Letterkenny

Photo 2 – Members of the original Stroke and Medical Rehab team present at the Units 25th Anniversary in St Conals Hospital Letterkenny