DONEGAL North East T.D.,
Charlie McConalogue has accused the Government and
HSE of "coming up with new excuses" to delay the
re-opening of the rheumatology clinic at Letterkenny
General Hospital.
He referred to a statement last week in which
Minister of State, Joe McHugh T.D., claimed the
West/North West Hospital Group would restore the
outreach clinic once a third consultant
rheumatologist is appointed.
He said this was the first time any reference had
been made to a third consultant post, which he said
could take more than a year to be approved.
“This is another ploy by the Government and the HSE
to delay the rheumatology clinic and force Donegal
patients to endure lengthy and painful trips to
Leitrim for their treatment," said the Fianna Fáil
Inishowen deputy.
"I have been making representations on this issue
since I was first elected to the Dáil and not once
over the last three and half years as it ever been
mentioned that the clinic couldn’t be re-opened
until a third consultant was appointed."
There are almost 300 rheumatology patients in
Donegal.
Deputy McConalogue said Health Minister Leo Varadkar
needed to intervene to ensure the rheumatology
clinic at Letterkenny General Hospital was reopened
without delay. |
