Outgoing CEO of Cork hospitals group to take up new role with NHS in Cardiff
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The CEO of Cork University Hospital, who announced his resignation on Friday, will begin work with a Welsh NHS Trust in December, the can reveal.
David Donegan took up his position as head of the Cork University Hospitals Group just over two years ago in the summer of 2022, during the pandemic. The group also includes hospitals in Mallow and Bantry as well as community services across the region.
The hospital confirmed the Limerick man planned to step down from this role following reports in this newspaper.
The Velindre University NHS Trust, located in Cardiff, has now shared an announcement on its website of Mr Donegan’s appointment as substantive CEO.
Velindre University NHS Trust is delighted to have appointed its new substantive Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
— Velindre University NHS Trust (@VelindreTrust) September 13, 2024
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Before taking up the position in Cork, Mr Donegan had spent 27 years working in the NHS including with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, also located in Wales.
Speaking about his new job, he said he is excited at the prospect.
“When I visited the Velindre Cancer Centre and was taken through the designs for the new VCC, I got a real sense of the important outcomes we will deliver for the people of southeast Wales over the next 5-10 years,” he said.
“I really look forward to meeting with staff, donors, patients, and partners over the coming months."
The announcement notes his wife Nuala is from Birmingham and works with Kantar Worldpanel.
His time in Cork included overseeing significant construction and change but also attracted controversy due to overcrowding pressures at CUH and multi-billion euro spending on management consultancy firms.
In June, children’s care including surgery transferred from the Mercy University Hospital to CUH. This is part of ongoing plans to develop 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 needing care at the under-construction children’s hospital in Dublin.
Mr Donegan also faced criticism during his time for the use of management consultants PWC as part of this development and others.
Confirming his departure, he 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:
HSE South West regional executive officer 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".
Dr Philips added: "While he will very much be missed, we do understand his decision and wish him every success with his future.”