Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Of course the issue here is that there is a lot of clinical advice from Waterford suggesting that the Herity report, in essence, is flawed and does not take into account the broader geographical challenges of the south east. The fact of the matter is that, as we sit here, 170,000 people are more than 90 minutes from an acute cardiac service. This is because there is no 24-7 service in Waterford. There is considerable fear and anxiety in communities throughout the south east. This particular tragic case brings it to the fore and is very much in people's minds.

This issue cannot be let rest. The Herity report is flawed in many other ways and clear issues have been raised numerous times by the clinicians, including the cardiologists who are working in the south east. They have said consistently that they need a 24-7 service. The mobile laboratory will deal with waiting lists but it will not deal with emergencies, for example, the emergency that presented last Sunday evening in Waterford.

Last September, the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, committed to a review with regard to primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Can we now accept that the Herity report should not form any basis for that review and that it should be a full clean sheet with regard to assessing services in the south east?

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