Health Services in County Donegal are advising on the importance of practising public health behaviours in light of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the North West.
Dr Anthony Breslin, Director of Public Health, HSE North West said, “Numbers are at an upward trend at the moment. People know what they have to do in terms of public health measures. They just need to keep doing it. I’d ask everyone to stay safe and be sensible.
The vaccination centre at Carndonagh commenced operations on Wednesday 30 June to support the delivery of the vaccination programme and to supplement the vaccination work being carried out by our staff in the LYIT vaccination centre, by GPs and by community pharmacies.
On Wednesday (30 June) the first vaccines will be administered in the vaccination centre based in Carndonagh Community School by staff from Saolta University Health Care Group and Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1, as part of a phased opening of the centre.
From Monday 28 June, Letterkenny University Hospital will be easing visiting restrictions and facilitating visits to patients in the ward areas by appointment. Appointments will be staggered across all ward areas each day at 6.30pm, 7.15pm and 8pm.
Seán Murphy, Hospital Manager said, “We are delighted to be in a position to re-introduce visiting from Monday. We will be arranging visits by appointment to minimise the risk of COVID-19 to patients, family members and staff.
Please be advised that Letterkenny University Hospital is extremely busy today (22nd June).
This has resulted in the hospital being under severe pressure and a backlog in the Emergency Department.
We regret that patients are currently experiencing long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Department to an acute bed in the hospital. We know these delays are very difficult for our patients and their families.
Patients attending the Emergency Department, outpatient and other appointments at Letterkenny University Hospital are facing significant delays as the impact of the ransomware attack on the HSE IT systems continues to affect the delivery of hospital services.
From Monday May 31 birthing partners will be allowed a daily 30 minute visit to the Maternity Department at Letterkenny University Hospital after the birth of the baby. In addition birthing partners may accompany women to the dating scan as well as the anomaly scan.
To coincide with European Heart Failure Awareness Week (10 to 16 May), Letterkenny University Hospital and Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1 (CHO1) has established a new Heart Failure Service which aims to support the diagnosis and treatment of people with heart failure living in Donegal.
The COVID 19 vaccination programme for health care workers and those medically vulnerable very high risk patients in Cohort 4 across county Donegal has now moved to the newly established Vaccination Centre in the IT in Letterkenny.
Letterkenny University Hospital has filmed a virtual tour of the Maternity Unit which is now available to view online here
The aim of the tour is to allow expectant mothers and partners/family members to view the interior of the Maternity Unit and hear staff talk about maternity services.
