Milford healthcare delays and palliative care gaps raised by councillor

Councillor Declan Meehan has raised significant concerns regarding healthcare infrastructure and service availability in the Milford and Donegal areas. At a Regional Health Forum, Meehan criticized the ongoing delays in expanding primary care facilities in Milford, stating the existing health centre is “no longer fit for purpose” and operating at full capacity. The delays have reportedly hindered the ability of staff to operate satellite clinics and have impacted waiting lists.

The proposed expansion aims to secure additional space for services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, and speech and language therapy, while also reinstating Older Persons Day Services, which have been absent from the Milford electoral area since 2020. While the Health Service Executive (HSE) indicated an Expressions of Interest process would begin earlier this year, Meehan noted there has been no progress on the promised tender.

Additionally, Meehan highlighted gaps in specialist palliative care within County Donegal. He noted that specialist end-of-life services currently operate on a five-day basis, leaving weekend care to be managed by Public Health Nurses and Registered General Nurses alongside their weekday duties. A business case is reportedly being prepared to scale up these services.