A proposed new multi-million euro Ambulatory Centre at Letterkenny University Hospital will be ‘more significant’ than any Surgical Hub.
The bold claim was made today by LUH General Manager, Sean Murphy, at a meeting of the HSE West Forum. He was responding to concerns by Councillor Gerry McMonagle that the decision to build a new surgical hub in Sligo would mean ‘closing the gates’ of LUH.
An Ambulatory Centre would provide additional ambulatory cancer capacity (including much larger Haematology Oncology Day unit) and additional diagnostic facilities.
Cllr McMonagle said the loss of the hub to Sligo would also be ‘a gate’ for consultants coming to Letterkenny.
“We need the same equity and healthcare as the rest of the country,” he said
“The loss of the hub is a serious problem and we may as well close the gates of LUH as we will not be able to attract specialists. The Ambulatory Care Centre simply will not suffice.”
Mr Murphy agreed there was a ‘significant lack of investment’ in LUH, but disagreed that the proposed new Ambulatory Centre would be insufficient.
He said he was ‘fully supportive’ for a new surgical hub for LUH. Mr Murphy explained a hub would include two day-surgery theatres and two minor operational procedural rooms.
“For the past 18 months, myself and the LUH team fought hard to create a facility for neurological surgery and were unsuccessful,” he said.
“We also wanted an anti cancer facility. However, we agreed (with the HSE) to expand to provide a facility that will be considerably larger than what a surgical hub would provide. While we want the facility yesterday, we would be willing to accept maybe a 12 or 18th months more wait to get the facility we require in LUH. That would be a much bigger gain for LUH than a surgical hub – this would be larger and more significant.”
Dermot Monaghan, HSE’s Integrated Health Area Manager for Donegal, added that the ambulatory centre is ‘a clear and important step’ for LUH and will include a surgical hub, based on the national model.
Cllr McMonagle said while he appreciated Mr Murphy’s comments, and all the work he and his team have done, his fear is that a hub is part of the HSE strategy for six such facilities nationwide.
“What you’re saying would be fantastic, but if we don’t get the funding for it, and we lost the surgical hub, then where are we then? I hope what you’re saying is correct.”
Councillor Ciaran Brogan said: “We’re all on the one page and that’s a work in progress”.
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