The Minister for Health is to meet with Donegal doctors again after what was described as an “informative meeting” between both sides today to discuss the placement of a surgical hub in the North West.
The meeting was arranged in response to 171 clinicians signing a letter to the Minister calling for a pause and a review of the decision to select Sligo University Hospital as a site for the hub.
That news was met with anger from Donegal GPs and consultants who claim the move will lead to a downgrading of Letterkenny University Hospital.
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill this evening met with a delegation of Consultants and General Practitioners from Donegal to discuss their concerns.
The clinicians presented data on geography, population and demographics, day case numbers, staffing numbers and a range of other key metrics.
Speaking after the meeting which lasted for an hour, Dr Pádraig McGuinness GP said “We had a really constructive meeting with the Minister.
“She was clearly in listening mode and was clearly interested in Letterkenny University Hospital. She went through the data with us and we answered her questions. It was a very informative meeting for both sides”.
Dr Louise Moran Consultant Anaesthetist said the Minister is clearly very data driven and had spent time researching the situation at LUH.
She said “As evidence based clinicians, we really welcome that approach, as all we are asking for is a level playing field when compared against patients across the country.
“We are simply asking for a clear comparison of the data across the hospitals and for the best evidence based decision to be made for all the people across the North West”.
The doctors and the Minister have agreed to meet again in two weeks time to discuss the issues raised after both sides have time to reflect and to gather further information.
“We are really impressed by this Minister and look forward to working with her to improve LUH. We are also looking forward to meeting her again shorty to continue our dialogue and to discuss progressing the surgical hub for the North West,” added Dr McGuinness.
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