Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

95. To ask the Minister for Health to set down the status of the Saolta group's urology strategy for the north west; to indicate when a consultant urologist will be appointed to Letterkenny General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20625/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following the retirement of the Letterkenny University Hospital Consultant urologist in March 2015, the Letterkenny University Hospital has experienced challenges in meeting demand for urology services.

Currently, a visiting urologist from University Hospital Galway provides out-patient urology services, while a part-time locum consultant provides in-patient and elective day surgery.

The Saolta University Health Care Group advises that it intends to recruit an Advanced Nurse Practitioner for Letterkenny University Hospital to support the delivery of urology services at the Hospital.

In addition, Saolta also advises that it is currently developing a comprehensive Clinical Strategy for the group as a whole. As part of this Clinical Strategy, Saolta will operate a ‘hub and spoke’ urology service model with a sub-hub in the North West.

This service model will provide the majority of urology care locally, as a component of a Group-wide department. This will facilitate referral to the cancer centre in Galway for operative cancer care, with longer term local follow-up and surveillance.

Letterkenny University Hospital has been innovative in terms of staff recruitment; an attractive recruitment pack for NCHDs has been recognised by the HSE. The Hospital has also invested in the development of educational partnerships and facilities, such as the Medical Academy, thereby enhancing NCHD recruitment.

New consultant surgeons specialising in colorectal and general surgery, and a consultant anaesthetist have been recruited recently. A number of consultant posts are currently going through the recruitment process, including a Consultant Respiratory Physician and Consultant Breast Radiologist.