Doctors and medical professionals in Donegal are voicing strong opposition to recent revelations suggesting the planned Surgical Hub for the North West may have been diverted from Letterkenny to Sligo due to political lobbying by a Government Minister.
The controversy arose following public statements made by Sligo, Leitrim and South Donegal TD Marian Harkin in local media.
Minister of State for Higher Education Harkin disclosed that, during negotiations to support the Government as an Independent, she advocated for relocating the Surgical Hub from Letterkenny to Sligo.
She is affiliated with the Regional Independent group, led by Michael Lowry, whose agreement with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael was crucial in forming the current Government.
A collective of 171 Donegal doctors and medical personnel have expressed their dismay at the potential move, characterizing it as a decision made “entirely on political grounds… at the expense of patients residing in Donegal.”
Dr. Padraig McGuinness, a spokesperson for the group, stated that the decision contradicts “objective evidence” indicating that Letterkenny is the most suitable location for the Surgical Hub.
“It’s becoming clearer now. Objective factors—including clinical need, geographic accessibility, patient demographics, the volume of day services, and the presence of colocated surgical specialties—unequivocally support Letterkenny University Hospital as the preferred location for a single surgical hub,” Dr. McGuinness explained.
“This decision now appears to be driven purely by political considerations, disadvantaging the 160,000 patients living in Donegal. This was seemingly part of the agreement to secure support from Deputy Lowry’s Independents.”
Another medical professional from Donegal indicated that if the decision was indeed politically motivated, she and her colleagues would demand immediate approval for a second Surgical Hub in Letterkenny.
Dr. Aine Keating, a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Letterkenny University Hospital, stated that a meeting with Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill on Tuesday evening will thoroughly present Donegal’s case, including new clinical and demographic data to bolster their arguments.
“We cannot allow this to happen. We have a meeting scheduled with the Minister again on Tuesday evening to present additional data. If Sligo has been granted a hub based on a political agreement, then in the interest of fairness, equitable access, and addressing the greatest need, we believe a second surgical hub must be established concurrently at Letterkenny University Hospital.”
In closing, Dr. Padraig McGuinness warned that public demonstrations will be the only recourse if the meeting proves unsuccessful.
“If Sligo is granted a hub on political grounds while Letterkenny is denied, ultimately leading to poorer outcomes for Donegal patients, we will be left with no alternative but to publicly demonstrate the strength of local opposition and concern.”
Donegal doctors demand answers after political deal revealed to put Surgical Hub in Sligo was last modified: June 29th, 2025 by
