Manager confirms Letterkenny oncology services set to return to normal from 6th March



A second consultant oncologist is confirmed to take up the vacant position in Letterkenny University Hospital from the start of March.

The General Manager of the hospital has confirmed that the plans for a replacement locum oncologist are on track to be in place by the 6th of March.

However, it appears the HSE continues to be having difficulty filling this post on a full-time basis.

The most serious consequences of the vacant oncology post in Letterkenny has led to new chemotherapy patients being referrred to Galway for treatment in recent weeks.

In a statement today, Sinn Fein TD in Donegal Pearse Doherty confirmed that to date 51 patients from Donegal have had to make the over 250km trip down.

The HSE confirmed to Ocean FM last week that the decision was made due to ongoing difficulty in filling the second oncologist post on a full-time basis and because the locum left unexpectedly recently.

However, in a statement today, Sean Murphy, the General Manager of Letterkenny University Hospital confirmed another locum will be in place on the 6th March with normal oncology services resuming.

However, for the remainder of this month, those 50 patients will have to continue travelling to Galway for their treatment.

The Saolta Hospital group says a separate process is underway to recruit a second consultant on a full-time basis highlighting that this post has been advertised nationally since the start of December.



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