Work has begun on the construction of a new private hospital in Letterkenny.

Wyndale clinic is due to open next year, offering a wide range of medical services including specialist cancer and radiation treatments not currently available in the region.

The new facility will have world-class services and will compliment the existing public services in the region according to Pat Harvey of Wyndale Clinic and former CEO of the North Western Health Board

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At least 20% of the beds at the new facility will be earmarked for public patients, Mr Harvey added.

Mr Harvey has claimed that, although the clinic does not yet have a service agreement with the HSE, the new clinic will have the capacity to provide all public patients in Donegal who need radiation treatment with the service.

At the moment, patients in need of the service have to travel to Dublin for treatment.

However, the by the Minister of Health Mary Harney, has reiterated her stance that Donegal does not have the population to justify a radiation unit.

Ms Harney also claimed she is in talks with the Northern Ireland Health Minister about a cross-border solution.

Mr Harvey says Wyndale has done all its research and there is the critical mass for the service in the region. He added that it would operate to the highest standard in conjunction with other services.

(NS/JM)