Robot required to alleviate staff shortages at hospital, says Donegal Councillor

It has been claimed that the HSE is planning to employ the use of a robot in Letterkenny General Hospital's Medical Assessment Unit.

Donegal Councillor Dessie Sheils claims that a tender has been issued for the robot which would allow patients to be assessed by a consultant remotely from outside the hospital.

The Councillor says that while it may sound like an April Fools joke, the HSE intend to use the robot as a substitute for direct consultant care in the event of "manpower shortages".

"A patient may be up in Letterkenny General Hospital sitting on a trolley for 10 hours and then see a robot trundling along the floor to consult with it," he said.

"A consultant in come other hospital throughout Ireland suddenly appears on a screen on this robot and speaks to you and asks you how you're getting on and what your condition is."