The government has been warned that Letterkenny University Hospital stands to be downgraded from its status as a Model 3 hospital if no surgical hub is provided.
Controversy over the campaign for a surgical hub in Sligo over Donegal was raised in the Dáil chamber this morning, as Sinn Féin TDs Pearse Doherty and Padraig MacLochlainn sought clarity on a suspected political deal in favour of Sligo.
The call for clarity comes after Minister of State Marian Harkin confirmed that the decision to site the surgical hub in Sligo formed part of her negotiations during the Programme for Government negotiations to secure support from Deputy Lowry’s independents.
The Department of Health states that no decision has been taken yet on the allocation.
Meanwhile, the HSE has made a business case for a surgical hub in Sligo only.
At the same time, 171 doctors and consultants from across Donegal have said that any political dealings would be at the expense of 160,000 patients living in Donegal.
Deputy Pearse Doherty said there is no doubt that one of the surgical hubs should be located in Letterkenny.
“We’ve heard from an unprecedented number of doctors, surgeons, consultants in the hospital, which have told us that, without the surgical hub in Letterkenny, that we are at serious risk of losing accident emergency services and maternity services within a short period of time,” Deputy Doherty told the Dáil.
“That is why all of the politicians in Donegal have come together and made it very clear that we need to see a surgical hub delivered in Letterkenny.”
Deputy Doherty called on the government to clarify if any “secret deal” took place with Marian Harkin on the location of the surgical hub in Sligo, which was only revealed by Minister Harkin last week.
Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn said: “All we’re asking for in Donegal is fair play. We’re not asking for special treatment. We’re asking that our citizens don’t have to travel long distances for care that should be provided in their own community. We’re asking that our emergency services are not allowed to collapse.”
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said that LUH is currently down to three permanent surgeons – down from six in recent years – and medics have warned that if the hospital cannot attract the surgeons that it needs, it will directly impact emergency services.
“Can you imagine we’d lose an emergency department in Letterkenny University Hospital? That’s how serious our surgical services have gotten to,” said Deputy Mac Lochlainn.
“If you decide the surgical hub for the North West is in one place, Sligo, it’s just the death knell,” he said.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said it’s “not a game of divide and conquer” between Donegal and Sligo, and that both hospitals should be granted hubs.
Deputy Doherty called on the government to make a public statement on whether Marian Harkin did secure a deal for Sligo or not.
“Outside of a deal or not, this decision has to be made on the merits, on the facts,” said Pearse Doherty.
Speaking on behalf of the government, Minister of State Michael Moynihan said: “No decision has been made yet on the location of the north west surgical hub and the Minister is taking time to consider and understand the situation in Donegal.”
Minister Moynihan stated that the government is committed to the ongoing development of Letterkenny University Hospital and has allocated significant resources to meet the needs of patients at the hospital.
“I hope the deputies can see that we are committed to the people of Donegal and look forward to continuing engagement on these issues,” the Minister said.
Last night, doctors and consultants representing Donegal held another meeting with the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, which they described as “productive”.
“We had an open, honest, and respectful discussion about the urgent need for immediate surgical infrastructural support for Letterkenny University Hospital. We emphasised how critical this is for maintaining surgical services locally and preserving Letterkenny’s status as a Model 3 hospital,” a spokesperson said.
The delegation of doctors said that, when asked about suggestions that the surgical hub for the northwest is already assigned to Sligo based on the Programme for Government, the Minister “expressed surprise” and stated she did not know where Marian Harkin had drawn that conclusion.
“The Minister has clearly stated her commitment to making a data-driven decision regarding the selection of a surgical hub in the northwest. She reiterated that no final decision has been made and assured us this process will not be influenced by coalition politics or pre-determined outcomes.”
