Donegal patient outsourcing raises questions on public investment

Nearly 5,000 patients from Letterkenny University Hospital have been sent to private hospitals in Northern Ireland since 2020 under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. Referrals rose sharply from 574 in 2020 to a peak of 1,170 in 2023, with over 1,000 patients referred each year since. Endoscopy accounted for over half of these cases. While outsourcing ensures timely treatment, local leaders question if funneling funds into private providers is sustainable, urging a rethink on investing in public capacity instead. For private healthcare leaders, this trend signals opportunity – but also highlights political scrutiny on cross-border reliance.

Read the full article for detailed figures and implications for private healthcare strategy.