Donegal politicians back doctors letter for surgical hub in Letterkenny

Donegal politicians have said they “will not accept second best” when it comes to healthcare for the people of Donegal.

The comments come after 171 Letterkenny-based doctors signed a letter voicing their concern at Letterkenny not having a surgical hub. They are seeking an urgent meeting with Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

Donegal Sinn Féin TDs Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Pearse Doherty, and HSE Forum Councillors, Gerry McMonagle and Gary Doherty have pledged their full support to the campaign.

Despite being the sole hospital serving the entire county of Donegal, LUH has been excluded from consideration as the location for the new surgical hub for the northwest, planned by the HSE. Instead, Sligo University Hospital (SUH) has been put forward as the sole preferred option — a decision the clinicians call “flawed, unjustified, and deeply damaging.”

Deputy Mac Lochlainn said: “This is an outrageous decision and is typical of the neglect that the people of Donegal have faced for too long. Letterkenny University Hospital services a much larger population and a much higher number of patients than Sligo University Hospital.

"The message from our doctors in their letter to the Minister for Health is clear. The people of Donegal will not accept second best anymore when it comes to our healthcare".

“At a recent meeting the Donegal TDs and Councillors made it clear to the senior management of the HSE in the West and Northwest that there must be a Surgical Hub located at Letterkenny University Hospital. If they will not listen, then the Minister for Health must intervene”.

Deputy Doherty said: “This could not be more serious. The future of surgical services and the ability to operate an Emergency Department at Letterkenny University Hospital is at stake. If the Surgical Hub for the entire northwest is only located at Sligo University Hospital, it will be a disaster for our major Donegal hospital. This cannot be allowed to happen!”

“The fact that 171 doctors have put their names to this letter says it all. The Minister for Health must ensure that our Donegal people have equality in health care and that LUH is not left behind. We need to start to reverse the years of neglect. There must be a Surgical Hub located in Donegal and it must happen as soon as possible”.

Charles Ward TD also backed the calls of the GPs over the surgical hub.

Deputy Ward praised the unified stance taken by the Donegal GPs, who represent communities across the county and have highlighted the urgent need to tackle surgical waiting lists and improve access to timely procedures.

“The case for a surgical hub in Letterkenny is overwhelming,” Deputy Ward said. “Donegal patients face unacceptable delays and long travel times to access surgery. A hub based at LUH would not only bring services closer to home, but also alleviate pressure on other regional centres.”

The proposed surgical hub would form part of the national plan to develop elective only facilities across the country, aimed at reducing waiting times and separating planned procedures from acute hospital pressures.

Senator Manus Boyle posted: “I spoke about this back in February after the first of the 6 hubs opened in Dublin. I asked for the minister to re-examine the case for a hub in Donegal. I fully support the doctors call for an urgent meeting with Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to address what they describe as a critical threat to patient care and health equality in the North West.”

Cllr Declan Meehan posted: “Letterkenny and Donegal deserve nothing less. We need to call time on systemic health inequality in Donegal. Fair play to the doctors for this intervention. As public reps and politicians we have to listen to them, support them and work with them to get the outcome that is right for Letterkenny.”

Cllr Joy Beard posted: “Good on our doctors for speaking out – finally demanding answers on why Donegal keeps getting left behind.

“People here are sick, waiting in pain, and being told to keep waiting. Why? Because we live in Donegal?

“We are not second-class citizens. We deserve the same level of care as those in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, and Galway – and that means a Surgical Hub at Letterkenny University Hospital.

“How many more people need to suffer on waiting lists before we’re heard? How many more families need to travel hours across the country just to access basic care? Donegal has waited long enough.

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“We’re not asking for special treatment – we’re demanding equal treatment. I have written to the Health Minister last week about this issue and hope she will respond soon.”