Blaney confirms good news for planned consultant appointments at Letterkenny General Hospital
Local Fianna Fáil TD Niall Blaney has been informed of plans for the appointment of specialist consultants at Letterkenny General Hospital by the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD. 24/06/10“A lot of people have contacted my office with concerns about the need for consultant endocrinologist, haematologist and a podiatrist at Letterkenny General Hospital.
“I have been raising their concerns with Minister Harney for some time now, particularly through my role on the Dáil Health Committee. Minister Harney is aware of the pressing need for these appointments and I have been working with her to secure the positions for Letterkenny General Hospital.
“She has now informed me that an application has been submitted for the appointment of an endoscrinologist/diabetologist and it is hoped that the position will be approved and advertised in the coming months.
“In relation to the haematologist position, the hospital has been trying unsuccessfully to recruit an expert in this area. Because it appears the position cannot be filled, an overseas consultant has been offered a 12 month locum contract but they cannot take up the position until they are registered with the Specialist Registrar of the Irish Medical Council and their application is currently being processed. Once this 12 month locum period has lapsed, the post will be re-advertised again and it is expected that there will be candidates eligible to apply at that stage.
“In relation to the podiatrist, Minister Harney acknowledged that LHG would benefit from an inpatient podiatry service. She told me that the hospital will be exploring the potential to have a podiatrist within the Primary Community and Continuing Care who would inreach into the hospital. This will be reviews at the joint Hospital/PCCC Committee meeting.
“These are all positive development and it is good to see progress on these much needed appointments for the hospital. We have seen a lot of improvements at LGH in recent years and the allocation of these important positions would be a further welcome step in the provision of services for the area. I will continue to work with Minister Harney and LGH to get these experts appointed at LGH as soon as possible,” concluded Niall Blaney TD.
