Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
29. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if he will review the funding and resourcing ofLetterkenny University Hospital to reflect the fact that the hospital is the sixth largest in the State with reference to the number of inpatients each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26392/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to the ongoing development of regional hospitals, such as Letterkenny University Hospital. LUH is a large, busy hospital and this Government has allocated significant resources in order to meet the needs of patients using the hospital.
There has been additional investment in staffing and facilities at LUH in recent years. There has been an 18% increase in staffing numbers since 2020, bringing the total staffing at the hospital to 2092.
The budget for the hospital has increased from €142.7m in 2019 to €177.8m in 2023, an increase of 24.5%. Since 2020 there have been 28 new beds opened in the hospital, bringing the total to 378. Since 2021, hospital capacity has been further improved by the expansion of gynaecology services, the opening of the acute stroke unit, the provision of an additional endoscopy theatre and the opening of a new maternity theatre.
There are several capital projects underway which will add additional capacity in services for patients. Projects planned and underway include the expansion of the Renal Department, the expansion of the Oncology Day Unit and the Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade.
This Government will continue to support the HSE in providing for the needs of patients in the Donegal region, through investment in LUH and other health services in the region.
