Doherty seeks clarity on timeline for Community Hospital in Lifford

Cllr Gary Doherty has called for greater clarity around delivery timelines and workforce planning for the proposed new Community Hospital in Lifford.

Speaking following a meeting of the Regional Health Forum, Cllr Doherty welcomed confirmation that capital approval has been granted for a new 25-bed short-stay Community Hospital alongside a new Primary Care Centre on a site owned by Donegal County Council.

It was confirmed that first-stage tenders for the Design Team have been completed and that an appointment is anticipated in Q3 2026, following the second-stage tender process.

Dermot Monaghan, Integrated Health Area Manager for Donegal, estimated that construction could get underway in approximately two to three years, subject to design, capital and statutory approvals.

Mr Monaghan said he would seek a clearer timeline for the overall project and the delivery of primary care and short-stay beds.

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Cllr Doherty said that while progress on procurement is welcome, the community needs greater visibility on overall delivery timelines.

“People in Lifford and across Donegal are very supportive of this project, but understandably they want to know what the roadmap looks like from here,” he said.

“The appointment of a design team is an important step, but we now need clarity around indicative timelines for detailed design, tender for construction, and ultimately when the hospital will be built and opened.”

Cllr Doherty also raised the issue of workforce planning, stating that recruitment must run in parallel with the capital build.

“A hospital is not just bricks and mortar, it is people. A 25-bed short-stay facility will require significant clinical, administrative and support staff.”

“Recruitment in Donegal can be challenging, so it is important that workforce planning begins early. We must ensure that when the building is ready, the staff are ready too.”

A response from Mr Monaghan said staffing for the new 25-bed facility will be determined by the complexities of patients' needs.

"The service will be staffed to meet the needs of the clients and the wider population who will use it," said Mr Monaghan.

The HSE Capital Plan for 2026, announced today, includes an allocation of €280,000 has been made for a new Primary Care Centre in Lifford,  along with a further €280,000 for a new Community Nursing Unit, with both projects currently at appraisal stage.

The project remains subject to statutory and capital approvals under the governance processes of the Health Service Executive. Cllr Doherty concluded by saying he will continue to engage constructively with the HSE to ensure the project progresses steadily.