'This isn’t a postcode lottery - it’s a postcode penalty for patients in Donegal'

Donegal County Councillor Declan Meehan has claimed that underinvestment in Letterkenny University Hospital puts patients at a distinct disadvantage compared to their counterparts in neighbouring counties.

Over the past five years, capital investment in acute clinical space at Letterkenny University Hospital stood at €2.8million. Clinical investment in the six other acute hospitals in the west-northwest region ranged from €1.23million in Roscommon to €88million at University Hospital Galway.

Cllr Meehan claims there is a "persistent pattern of underinvestment" in Letterkenny. Projects in development at LUH include the Renal Dialysis expansion and the new aseptic compounding unit, which are both at detailed design stage.

There was an extension to the lab in 2024, and a replacement of the Radiology Department occurred in 2020 due to flood damage.

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Cllr Meehan has claimed that Letterkenny has been left behind while other regional hospitals have been modernised and expanded to meet growing healthcare demands.

"This isn’t a postcode lottery - it’s a postcode penalty for patients in Donegal," said Cllr Meehan. “When you examine the figures, the disparity is stark and inexcusable. With every Regional Health Forum meeting, with every new set of figures, it becomes more and more apparent.”

“In addition to this, the 2025 HSE Capital Plan provides for only €35 million investment in Donegal, out of a €1.33 billion budget. This equates to around 0.3% for 3.2% of the population,” Meehan said.

Cllr Meehan warned that this chronic underinvestment has real-world consequences, including longer waiting times, increased pressure on frontline staff, and patients being forced to travel outside the county for essential treatment.

“The people of Donegal deserve equal access to healthcare,” he said. “The current disparity is indefensible and speaks to historical and persistent neglect of LUH.”

Cllr Meehan is calling on the Minister for Health and HSE leadership to immediately address the imbalance and to commit to a long-term capital development plan that prioritises Letterkenny University Hospital, including an evidence-based consideration of hospital’s suitability as a surgical hub: “If the HSE won’t act, then the Government must intervene. Healthcare should be based on need, not geography.”

Speaking at today's Regional Health Forum West meeting, Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer, stated, "I would say clearly and openly that Donegal clearly requires additional investment, and if there was additional investment, the health of people in Donegal would improve as a result."

In response to Cllr Meehan's comments, Mr Canavan said: "I wouldn't accept that there is any sort of in-built bias against any county."

Mr Canavan also asked Cllr Meehan to consider the investment taking place in areas outside of the hospital, noting that there were significant infrastructure upgrades within Letterkenny University Hospital following the floods over 10 years ago.-