Getty Images/Reza EstakhrianThe minister for health in the Republic of Ireland has now backed the development of two new surgical hubs in the north west, insisting the decision is based on data.
The announcement comes after concerns were raised by some Donegal-based clinicians when the regional Health Service Executive (HSE) initially identified Sligo as the preferred location for a new surgical hub in the region.
Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill confirmed on Monday a second unit will also be developed at Letterkenny University Hospital and dismissed claims this decision was politically motivated.
It remains unclear whether patients from Northern Ireland will be able to access services at either site once operational.
Getty Images“This is the right thing for Donegal – it is the right thing for the north west,” the minister said.
“From a data perspective and a planning perspective, this was simply the right decision.”
The investment at Letterkenny University Hospital will include the development of a new surgical hub, along with expanded cancer treatment services.
In Sligo, a new stand-alone surgical hub with two operating theatres will be constructed near the town’s university hospital.
Carroll MacNeill described the announcement as “an important milestone” in delivering improved care for patients at both hospitals.
She said the projects would make “a real and lasting difference” to people’s lives in the region and emphasised that increasing surgical capacity in both locations was a priority for the Irish government.
“These investments align with our Ambulatory Elective Day Care Strategy and the National Cancer Control Programme,” Carroll MacNeill said.
“They will ensure that patients in the northwest have timely access to high-quality surgical and oncology care.”
Hope to be operational ‘within two years’
The minister visited Letterkenny University Hospital on Monday to make the announcement.
“This was the right decision— not because of a series of meetings, but because, from a data perspective and from a future planning perspective, this was simply the right decision,” Carroll MacNeill said.
“It’s not anything political – this is the right thing for Donegal – this is the right thing for the north west and I hope we’ll see the benefits of these two surgical hubs which will deliver quicker surgeries for people in a very short time.”
Carroll MacNeill said she hoped both hubs would be operational within two years.
Regional executive officer for HSE west and north west, Tony Canavan, said the new units could help reduce waiting lists for elective procedures in Donegal and Sligo, but said questions remained over staffing the facilities.
“In Letterkenny, the hub we’re proposing to develop will also include day beds for people receiving oncology treatments—15 brand new beds, along with 15 replacement beds,” he explained.
“That will mean people from Donegal can receive their chemotherapy close to home and will be able to plan for that in the future as well.”
However, Mr Canavan cautioned that staffing the new units would be a “challenge”.
