Sligo-Leitrim TDs welcome ‘long overdue’ repairs at Sligo University Hospital

Sligo-Leitrim TDs have expressed support for recent steps taken by the Department of Health to address long standing issues at Sligo University Hospital’s (SUH) orthopaedic unit, which has suffered from persistent roof leakages for several years.

Earlier this month, orthopaedic consultants at the hospital appeared on RTÉ News to highlight the conditions under which they are forced to operate.

Their concerns focused on the impact of these conditions on patient care and surgeon safety.

The orthopaedic unit has experienced numerous water leakages, with the operating theatre forced to close for eight days in April due to a roof leak.

Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon John Kelly told RTÉ that the theatre has been closed approximately five times in the past two years for the same reason.

On May 13, Sligo-Leitrim TD Martin Kenny raised the issue in the Dáil, questioning Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill about the leaking roof. The Minister confirmed that the roof will be replaced later this year.

"The Minister confirmed to me that following a meeting with Regional CEO Tony Canavan, that the roof will be replaced with a new roof later this year,” Deputy Kenny said.

"She further confirmed that a new Surgical block for Sligo University Hospital is currently at design stage. While this is welcome news it is long overdue,” he added.

Sligo-Leitrim TD welcomes 26 bed extension to Sligo University Hospital

A Medical Offsite Ward has been established at St. John’s Community Hospital, functioning as an extension of Sligo University Hospital.

SUH is receiving further upgrades under the HSE Capital Plan for 2025, including the delivery of a multi-service block development, currently at detailed design stage, which will offer a wide range of integrated services upon completion, a 42-bed block, with construction set to commence this summer, a new 26-bed block which is already operational and a new CT scanner which was recently installed.

Independent TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Minister Marian Harkin, also welcomed the changes announced for the hospital.

“Along with my two colleagues, Frank Feighan TD and Eamon Scanlon TD, I met with three orthopaedic surgeons from SUH a number of weeks ago and had a detailed discussion on conditions in the orthopaedic operating theatre where a leaking roof posed significant challenges for elective surgeries and patient safety.

“I warmly welcome her intervention and the fact that emergency repair works have already been completed, and most importantly, the entire roof is scheduled for full replacement this year,” Minister Harkin said.

“We must look critically at how we deliver major capital projects like those planned at SUH, from procurement to design and execution, to ensure value for money and timely delivery for patients and staff alike,” Minister Harkin added.

Although the roof replacement will address the immediate leakage issue, the orthopaedic unit continues to face several other challenges. 

In a letter to politicians, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon John Kelly outlined other ongoing problems, including newly installed fire doors that are too heavy for the existing walls, theatre tables that are too heavy for the floors and have begun tearing the lino, and a theatre complex that remains too small for current needs.

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