Bio-Engineering in Letterkenny

Paddy McGowan is former secretary of the BEAI and is an Executive Committee member. It is reassuring to see that Biomedical Engineering is developing well all over Ireland.

In Letterkenny General Hospital. Biomedical Engineering has come a long way in the last few years.

My first involvement with Letterkenny General dates back to 1983 and at that time the present Hospital comprising of 250 beds was only two years old. Most of the Medical Equipment was new and as such was still being looked after by the Suppliers. A Biomedical Engineering Department did not exist and Medical Equipment Maintenance was carried out by two other personnel in addition to myself. Our job title was Maintenance Technician and we were viewed as general repair staff with no input to new equipment specification or purchase. a situation which existed until 1989 when I was appointed to take charge of Medical Equipment Maintenance.

I immediately proceeded to set up a proper Biomedical Engineering Department. which was met at first with some opposition by management but when it was pointed out that it was to everyone’s benefit and would in fact save money. I received the full support from management. There are still three staff currently employed in the department and hopefully will expand in the near future. We are currently affiliated to the Basic and Senior Electronic Technicians pay scale respectively, our department is consulted on all aspects of a technical nature and no piece of medical equipment can be purchased without our approval.

In conclusion, we are all fully committed to the BEAI and pledge our full support at all times.