The Manager at Letterkenny General says he was surprised to hear Urologist and surgeon Kevin Moran was resigning his position having instead been told that he retiring.
Mr Moran has been 24 years in the post, but informed bosses of his decision to resign in December.
He told the press the decision was taken because he no longer had the staff and resources to take care of his patients.
The Saolta University Health Care Group says it has advertised for both a temporary Consultant General Surgeon and a Consultant Urologist to replace Mr Moran with a view to appointing a permanent replacement.
Hospital Manager Sean Murphy says he is disappointed how Mr Moran handled the situation:
Meanwhile the HSE has released a statement on the story which is reproduced below:
Mr Kevin Moran, Consultant Surgeon, is due to retire from Letterkenny General Hospital -Saolta University Health Care Group at the end of February after nearly 24 years of service. Mr. Moran will be officially retiring from mid-November 2015 but will be ceasing his work at the hospital at the end of February.
Letterkenny General Hospital -Saolta University Health Care Group will be working with the Consultants Appointments Advisory Committee-Public Appointments Unit and National recruitment Service to appoint a permanent replacement for Mr Moran. However, this process may take some time. It is anticipated that the recently agreed new consultant salary will benefit this recruitment process. In the interim Letterkenny General Hospital -Saolta University Health Care Group have advertised for both a temporary Consultant General Surgeon and a Consultant Urologist, in both the national press and international medical publications. In addition, the hospital is liaising with multiple agencies in an attempt to source suitable candidates.
To date a locum consultant general surgeon has been appointed from the 23rd Feb until the 16th April. Thereafter, a temporary general surgeon has been appointed for one year, from 16th April.
In relation to the provision of Urology Services at LGH, the non-consultant support team currently in the hospital will remain in place and be supported by Consultant Urologists from the Saolta Group whilst the recruitment process for a consultant urologist at Letterkenny General Hospital continues. This support will include a Consultant Urologist visiting LGH on a frequent basis to ensure that the care of all patients currently within the urology service continues uninterrupted and new patients can continue to be accepted to the service.
The existing cystoscopy lists at LGH will continue along with the out-patient clinics and day surgery services. In-patient care will continue and strengthen its existing links with Galway University Hospital which will provide enhanced cover pending the appointment of a full time Consultant Urologist at LGH.
The HSE, Saolta University Health Care Group and local management at Letterkenny General Hospital are fully committed to maintaining and indeed enhancing the Urology Service at LGH. To this end the interim arrangements and planned development of the Urology Service are designed to ensure safe quality care for patients with urological conditions both now and into the future.
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