Fears Donegal hospital will be downgraded if rejected as location for surgical hub in favour of Sligo
It comes as Minister for State, Deputy Harkin stated on Highland Radio that the location of the surgical hub in Sligo was decided as part of a deal made during negotiations on the Programme for Government to secure support from the Independent TDs.
Speaking on Highland Radio, Minister Harkin said, 'One of the things I was insistent on was that we had, what then was in the HSE business plan, described as a surgical hub for Sligo and I still support that.'
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has said no decision has been made on the location of the surgical hub.
HSE West and North West has submitted a business case supporting the implementation of a North West Surgical Hub.
Within the business case, a greenfield site owned by the HSE in Sligo has been identified as a potential development location for a hub.
However, Consultants and General Practitioners from Donegal have met with the Minister for Health to discuss Letterkenny University Hospital and the positioning of the surgical hub in the North West.
The doctors believe that based on geography, population and demographics, day case numbers, staffing numbers and a range of other key metrics, the surgical hub should be at LUH.
Speaking in the Dáil, Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty said if the surgical hub is located in Sligo, LUH is at risk of losing the accident and emergency department and maternity services while the hospital could be downgraded to a model three hospital.
'We have heard from an unprecedented number of doctors, surgeons and consultants in Letterkenny hospital and they have told us that without the surgical hub there, they are at serious risk of losing accident and emergency services and maternity services within a short period.
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"That is why they and all the politicians in Donegal have come together and made it very clear that we need to see a surgical hub delivered in Letterkenny.
"This would not be to the detriment of Sligo – we believe the north-west region has been left behind for far too long – but there has to be a location in Letterkenny,' said Deputy Doherty.
Deputy Doherty called on the government to come clean and questioned if the Department ascertained whether there was any 'secret deal' in respect of the location of the surgical hub.
'That is news to us, the TDs who sat across the table from the Minister for about an hour and a half making the case for the surgical hub because the Minister will eventually be the person who decides on the location.
"It is news to us, having sat repeatedly in meetings with the HSE arguing the toss about why the surgical hub should be in Letterkenny.
"I am sure it was news to the 160-plus surgeons, consultants and doctors who signed the letter making very reasonable medical arguments for the locations.
'I want the Minister of State to come. That clarity is needed,' said Deputy Doherty.
Deputy Pádraig MacLochlainn said the Donegal TDs are not asking for special treatment but are asking that citizens do not have to travel long distances for care that should be provided in their own community.
'We are asking that our emergency services not be allowed to collapse and that we have the necessary number of surgeons and consultants in Letterkenny University Hospital.
"If there is to be only one surgical hub for the north-west region, a huge region extending from the top of Donegal down into Roscommon, I imagine, and that hub is not in Letterkenny, it will be a disaster for County Donegal and our services.
"Those are not my words but those of the consultants.'
Deputy MacLochlainn also raised that the number of permanent surgeons at LUH has reduced from six to three in a short period of time.
"We cannot attract the level of surgeons we need.
"If the Minister decides the surgical hub for the Northwest is in one place, Sligo, it is just a death knell.
"It is extremely serious. I have never seen 171 doctors, consultants and GPs, sign a letter. I do not know anywhere in this State where this has happened.
"That is how serious this is.
"I will reiterate that we are not playing the game of divide and conquer.
"Sligo, the north-west, Donegal and all of us deserve this.
"There is an absolute unique case now for a surgical hub in Letterkenny and Sligo to be delivered at exactly the same time to have the quality of services our people deserve, to protect what we have and to protect our emergency services,' said Deputy MacLochlainn.
Speaking on behalf of the government, Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth, Deputy Michael Moynihan said no decision has yet been made on the location of the north-west surgical hub.
"The Minister is taking time to consider and understand the situation in Donegal.
"This includes engagement with local representatives, doctors and consultants.
"I know she was due to meet some of them last night. She remains committed to positively engaging with everyone who is interested in delivering the best healthcare for the people of Donegal.'
Deputy Moynihan said the Government is committed to the ongoing development of the hospital and has allocated significant resources to meet the needs of patients there, including an increase in the hospital's budget by 57% over the last five years.
"I will take the points the Deputies raised back to the Department and seek clarification for them,' said Deputy Moynihan.
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