David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I know that the Minister for Health has said he cannot be here, which is unfortunate, given the issue raised. The Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, will know that this is a very important issue for the people of the south east. There was big disappointment when the Herrity report was published and the favourable recommendation for which people were hoping for did not materialise. Five of the six Oireachtas Members for Waterford have sought a meeting with the Minister for Health and hospital consultants. To date, the Minister has not responded, despite the fact that the request was made two weeks ago. He has acknowledged receipt of the letter, but he has yet not agreed to a meeting and is not here to take the motion, which is unfortunate.

The Minister has said over and over again in his response to the media when questioned on this issue that he will accept the recommendations made in the Herrity report. I am someone who passionately believes health care should only be provided based on clinical and medical need. There are questions the Minister has to answer.

The HSE and the Department both describe UHW as the regional hospital for the south east. They outline the regional services that the hospital provides, the first of which is the cardiology service. They say the service coves not part of the south east, but the entire region.

The Higgins report recommended a reconfiguration of hospital services in the south east and elsewhere. A clear assurance was given in that report to the people of the south east that UHW would continue to be the provider of invasive cardiology services for the population of the entire region. How did a report commissioned to look into expanding services not have in its terms of reference that the hospital was the regional provider of cardiology services? Why did it use as a basis for its findings an effective population of just more than half that of the south east region? This is what is upsetting hospital consultants in Waterford, clinicians, us as Oireachtas Members from across the region and the people who came out onto the streets last week. We need to hear from the Minister for Health whether he believes that UHW is the regional hospital that provides regional cardiology services. If he does, the logic of that is that he cannot accept the conclusions of the Herity report.

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