LETTERKENNY General Hospital has been awarded a Pre-Accreditation Level One Rating by the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board (IHSAB), following a week long inspection of the hospital in June.

According to General Manager, Mr Sean Murphy, the rating recognises the high standards and quality of care at Letterkenny General Hospital and the work that has and continues to be undertaken to improve services.

"This is a tremendous achievement which reflects on all the hard work, commitment and enthusiasm which all staff and particularly those involved in the accreditation teams brought to this exercise," Mr Murphy said.

Level One Pre-Accreditation Rating is the highest possible rating short of full accreditation.

Accreditation guides healthcare organisations in identifying their strengths and also their opportunities for improvement and to better understand the objectives and complexities of their operations.

With this knowledge, organisations can address short and longer-term plans Whilst recognising the challenges faced by Management and staff in Letterkenny General Hospital particularly around the inpatient capacity at the hospital Mr Murphy outlined the advances made in providing additional services over the year including the commissioning of MRI Scanner and opening of new Maternity Theatre and Haematology/Oncology Ward. The inpatient capacity problem will also be reduced when the 'modular' wards which are presently under cosntruction are ready, he said.