John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The cath lab is closed from 5.30 p.m. on Friday until Monday. The Government prepared a business plan in the 2015 Estimates which stated that University Hospital Waterford needed an additional three consultant interventional cardiologists to enable the lab to operate on a 24-7 basis. The hospital recently sought funding for these, and the total revenue cost, according to the Government, was €2.7 million. We are now being told that the cost benefit analysis must take place again. The Government has already done a business plan. The former Minister for Health put together a business plan and categorically told the people of Waterford that the 24-hour service would be guaranteed. I met him in the hospital. The Minister is now saying that it may be, that he is not too sure, and that it probably will not be.

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