Laois General Practitioner Dr Sumi Dunne, known nationally from RTE’s Operation Transformation series and health interviews on RTÉ radio, gave an in depth interview recently to the Leinster Express’ Laois Life magazine.
Dr Sumi Dunne from Portarlington has positive memories of her seven years with the health improvement television show which ended in 2024.
“I very much enjoyed it. We got the opportunity to give really good health messaging, and also have lots of fun. So a win-win.”
On whether RTE’s decision to axe it was the right one, she is pragmatic.
“Everything has to come to an end, we move on and our health messaging has to evolve. It’s sad that I’m not working with that amazing production team but it’s good to see that we’re moving forward with other platforms.”
She said Operation Transformation had focused on much more than weight loss.
Dr Sumi with her fellow Portarlington medic, clinical psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy on Operation Transformation
“In the seven years I was involved, there was always more health messaging, it was about attaining health targets. And how difficult it is to lose weight successfully. It is really hard.
“It’s not about eating less and moving more. That just does not work. There’s a number of aspects, height, history, medication, even genetics.
“It was incredible to work with people who told authentic stories to a wide audience. That was a privilege,” she said.
She took part in a new YouTube series last January with fellow Port OT expert Dr Eddie Murphy, called the 40 Day Health Challenge.
“It was fun again to be with Karl, Eddie and Sophie. We met incredible people over six weeks with a huge focus on health.”
A London native, Dr Sumi moved to Ireland in 1999 to work in Portarlington. She sees many positive changes over the 26 years.
“People are more aware of their health now. What’s phenomenal is there’s more open discussion. Good health information is easy to get now. Previously we might have to request it from a library. Now at the click of a button you have access to the best experts.”
Googling symptoms however has a downside.
“The problem with search engines is they are led by profits, and the worst case scenario will make you click more. That can be detrimental and can worry people. I refer them to trustworthy sites like the HSE, the NHS, the Irish Heart Foundation or the Irish Cancer Society.
Dr Sumi Dunne. Photo: Paul Sharp
She agrees that more GPs are needed, but says their conditions must improve.
“As medicine gets more advanced, people are living longer, so accessibility to get into a GP gets more difficult. There are less GPs as they retire. Yes we need more but what are they being offered in working hours? There’s a balance there.”
She regularly gives talks on women’s health.
“Ireland has come a very long way. We can now offer a complete reproductive suite of women’s health care in general practice, to include abortion healthcare, which I think is phenomenal and very forward thinking. We now provide free contraception, through to menopause with free HRT drugs from June, that’s a huge step forward.”
Dr Sumi has also lectured at the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) since 2006.
“It is a huge privilege to be lecturing medical students. The doctors of the future. There’s an incredible vibrancy of being around young people they’re hungry to learn,” she said.
She says small changes, if possible, can improve health.
“Access your GP, engage in vaccinations and health screenings. Also recognise when you’re not well, you don’t have to fight on your own, we are here to listen. Your mental health is every bit as important,” Dr Sumi said.
For her own health, she walks a lot.
“I have two dogs. Being outside, wind on the face, rain in the hair, you’re not thinking of anything, it’s a kind of mindfulness. As I’ve got older I’m trying to look after my bone density so I do resistance work too.
“I’m very lucky I live in quite a rural area, we don’t have to drive anywhere to walk, but my favourite place, it’s such a gem, is Emo Court. It’s magnificent.”
She is fond of Portarlington.
“I love the sense of community. I came from London city to rural Ireland. At times it was tough but people are so nice, there’s kindness everywhere. I really liked that, and I very much enjoyed bringing up my children with that.
There is one improvement she would love to see in the town.
“I’m forever on a rant on this one, it’s cycle paths. It would be phenomenal, particularly to all of the schools. Where we live, trying to cycle to the local school in Emo, it really is not safe, because of the traffic on a small road, including juggernauts,” she said.
Dr Sumi always cuts an elegant dash in her dress sense.
“I do enjoy it. I’m a little more conservative as I’ve gotten older. In my heyday, the heels were super high and I was known for running through the hospital in really high heels. Sarah Jessica Parker would be proud of me. I’ve got a little more sensible. Not too sensible.
“I stick to the classics. I like a monochrome palette, either black, cream or navy blue. I found it suits me and it’s one decision less in the morning,” Dr Sumi said.
Married to local auctioneer Matt Dunne, they have two sons and two daughters, aged from 21 down to 11.
She sees enormous pressure on image for girls.
“What upsets me is the targeting of the younger age group, 10 and 11 year olds, around all of this really quite highly centred skincare, which in some instances is actually stripping the skin barrier. From a GP perspective, a lot of it is really not necessary. It’s disheartening to see that pressure,” Dr Sumi said.
Rural life suits her.
“Every so often the power goes, or you have to drive a bit to get milk, but that’s everybody’s frustration. Overall, my sister-in-law is close, my beautiful mother-in-law who has now passed, was just a legend and we were able to walk to see her. Not having to commute too far to work, all of those things, add to a sense of wellbeing,” she said.
Dr Sumi recently lost her beloved dad, Myanmar native Priya Kumar Sengupta who died on New Year’s Eve.
Dr Sumi’s parents.
“He moved here in 2018 after my mother unexpectedly died. They were living in London. His greatest pride and joy were the four grandchildren. They were mad about their grandad. They called him Dadu which is Hindi for grandad.
“As he got a little more frail, in the last 18 months he was in Oghill nursing home in Monasterevin. They were just beyond incredible to him.”
An only child, now having now lost both parents, she said “it can leave you a little bit more vulnerable”.
“Your primary witnesses to life are no longer there. My father and I always conversed in our native tongue, in Bengali, and since Dad passed, I’ve not spoken Bengali. We have to work with our grief and appreciate the people in our lives. But it can hit you. That particular small thing,” she said.
The September/October issue of LAOIS LIFE is now on sale in Laois shops, find it next to the Leinster Express.
