Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. I take no pleasure in raising this issue time and again. I represent the people of Waterford, who feel like they are getting a shoddy deal. We were told at the time of the Higgins' report that one of the main requirements to secure services into the future was an increased population base. In regard to the case I highlighted of the elderly woman having to attend the South Infirmary-Victoria Hospital in Cork for a dermatology service, I was told on numerous occasions by the former Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, and current Minister, Deputy Varadkar, that the consultants would travel to Waterford, because that makes more sense than frail sick people having to make a four-hour journey in great discomfort to avail of a service they are entitled to receive on their own doorstep. We were told that with the birth of these new hospital groups we would be able to attract the calibre of consultant that requires a big population base to ensure his or her skill set is maintained.

We were assured that through the provision of services in Cork, Waterford and in the other hospitals that they would have the necessary throughput of patients to maintain their skill set to a high standard in order that they could give the best service to the people of the south east. We were promised professorships and academic posts. Could the Minister of State please indicate the current position in that regard? I would welcome an update on the partnership between University Hospital Waterford and University College Cork, UCC. To be honest, the current situation is just not good enough. The hospital is called "University Hospital Waterford", which sounds good but it means nothing. We do not have what we were promised. I understand we are in a time of limited resources but as the economy starts to improve, the Labour Party must focus on the provision of public services. I will fight tooth and nail to ensure the people of Waterford and the south east get what they deserve. As a party in government we must make real decisions about where we want to provide investment. I, for one, will support investment in public services. Currently, nurses, doctors and care assistants are currently working to the pin of their collar to ensure service provision in University Hospital Waterford, but they need the Minister's support and that of his Cabinet colleagues to ensure we get the services that are so badly required in Waterford and the south east.

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