Cork hospital chief to step down two years after appointment
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The CEO of Cork University Hospitals Group, David Donegan, is stepping down after two years in the post, the can reveal.
The Limerick man took up the role during the pandemic in August 2022 after 27 years of working in the UK in various healthcare and government roles.
He is believed to be returning to England to take up a role there.
In a statement this morning, the South/Southwest Hospital Group confirmed Mr Donegan's departure.
Mr Donegan said: “It has been an immense privilege to lead Cork University Hospitals Group over the last few years and I am so proud of the significant achievements that have been made during that time.”
He pointed to “real improvements” in cancer care, elective and emergency care as well as the reconfiguration of the Paediatric and Ophthalmology services in Cork.
Mr Donegan also pointed to the setting of a Major Trauma Centre in CUH, one of two in the country and “significant capital developments” at CUH and also in Mallow and Bantry hospitals.
“While there is much more to do, the organisation has gone from strength to strength in recent years,” he said.
In June, children’s care, including surgery, transferred from the Mercy University Hospital to CUH. This is part of ongoing plans for a regional paediatric centre.
When this is complete, it is expected to take 98% of children’s care across the Munster region, with only certain complex conditions transferred to Dublin.
Mr Donegan also faced criticism during his time for the use of external management consultants PWC as part of this development.
He and senior clinicians at the hospital defended the multi-million euro cost as necessary to move ahead quickly on reforms.
Speaking to the previously about this issue, he highlighted internal staffing gaps in this area.
“Our management and administrative staff is about 460, although a comparable organisation in Dublin would be about 600," he said.
He pledged further improvements for patients, but cautioned: “We know that we have one of the largest deficits of inpatient bed capacity of any hospital in Ireland, and that is going to take a number of years to resolve.”
He said of plans to tackle long waiting lists: “Every single one of those patients on that waiting list is a patient we are very much focused on."
He said they could see "early signs that CUH is starting to turn a corner".
This morning, the Limerickman thanked all the staff of CUH Group as well as the people of Cork and Munster for making him so welcome and for how hard they have worked together.
“I look forward to seeing the services develop even further over the years to come” he said.
The Regional Executive Officer for HSE South West, Dr Andy Philips said he would: “personally like to thank David for his major contribution to improving healthcare in the South West over the last few years, and that while he will very much be missed, we do understand his decision and wish him every success with his future.”