Urgent: Ambulance Queues at Letterkenny Hospital Delay Emergency Care

URGENT UPDATE: Ambulance queues outside the Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital are severely impacting response times to life-threatening calls, raising alarms among officials and the public alike. On a single day last month, as many as 12 ambulances were reported waiting outside the hospital, unable to transfer patients to emergency staff, causing delays that extended into the night.

Authorities confirm that the National Ambulance Service has consistently struggled to meet national response targets for critical emergencies. Specifically, the goal is to reach 75% of life-threatening incidents within 18 minutes and 59 seconds. While this target was met in October 2025, it was not achieved in the following months: November, December, and January saw response rates drop to 39% and 37% respectively for other urgent calls.

Chair of the Regional Health Forum, Gerry McMonagle, expressed deep concern, stating, “People are worried when they lift the phone and are waiting for an ambulance.” He highlighted that local ambulances are often dispatched from distant parts of the county, exacerbating delays. “If you lose two ambulances from Inishowen because they are stacked up at Letterkenny, it is a long drive for ambulances coming from anywhere else to respond,” McMonagle added.

In response to mounting pressure, Brendan McGovern, General Manager of the National Ambulance Service for the West and North West, acknowledged the service’s struggles. He noted that demand for emergency services is increasing by approximately 5% each year, stating, “The length of time for some of our responses is not where we would like it to be,” attributing delays to increased call volumes and hospital capacity issues.

To address these urgent challenges, the National Ambulance Service is implementing new measures at Letterkenny University Hospital. Officials have announced the introduction of Hospital Ambulance Liaison Persons (HALP) to facilitate quicker patient handovers during peak times. Additionally, dedicated managers will assist with patient flow in the emergency department.

The situation at Letterkenny University Hospital highlights a growing crisis in emergency medical services across the region. As ambulance delays persist, the community is left in a state of anxiety over the ability to receive timely medical assistance. The National Ambulance Service is actively working with hospital staff to expedite patient transfers and ensure ambulances are returned to service swiftly.

The community is urged to stay informed as this developing story unfolds, with officials emphasizing the need for immediate investment in the ambulance service to enhance capacity and response times. For many in Donegal, this is not just a statistic; it is a matter of life and death.

Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent issue impacting public health and safety.