It is claimed that the Health Service Executive (HSE) is planning to employ the use of a robot in the Medical Assessment Unit of Letterkenny General Hospital.

Donegal Councillor Dessie Sheils says a tender has been issued for the robot.

It would allow patients to be assessed by a consultant remotely from outside the hospital.

The councillor says that while it may sound like an April Fools joke, the HSE intend to use the robot as a substitute for direct consultant care in the event of 'manpower shortages'.

Councillor Sheils told Highland Radio the proposal would make a mockery of the lack of services at the hospital.