Rheumatology clinics are to be reinstated at Letterkenny University Hospital.
The HSE has confirmed that following the removal of services from the hospital in 2011, the clinic will return at the end of the month.
Deputy Charlie McConalogue said he has been raising this issue with the various Ministers for Health and the HSE since he was first elected to the Dáil.
“In this time, up to 300 Donegal patients have had to travel to Manorhamilton for rheumatology services.
“After years of discussions, the HSE has now finally given a firm commitment on the reinstatement of the clinic, which follows on from the appointment of a third rheumatologist for the North West region a few weeks ago.
“The restoration of the clinic is fantastic news for all of the patients who have been forced to travel from Donegal to Manorhamilton for vital treatment. These are people with very painful conditions, who found this long journey exceptionally difficult. It is unacceptable that they have had to travel this distance for so long.
“The improvement of local health services is one of my priorities as a TD for the county – and I am very glad to see this vital service return to Letterkenny University Hospital”.
Tags: