Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate there is confusion around the current status of that situation. The HSE has informed me that no formal resignation has been received to date from the cardiologist in question in University Hospital Kerry. To avoid confusion, the purpose of the cardiologists who go there weekly, fortnightly and monthly is to deal with outpatient clinics and to reduce the waiting times, whereas the cardiologist who is permanently appointed to the hospital deals with the procedures within it.

Deputy Ferris spoke of people having to travel for treatment. That is just a medical decision and a clinical decision. When a patient is triaged and is deemed to require more complex coronary care, better care and more facilities are available in Cork University Hospital. This is why some people have to travel. I absolutely accept that this winter has presented difficulties and challenges to the emergency departments in hospitals and University Hospital Kerry is no exception. There was a significant increase in presentations at the hospital. I believe that 36,000 people presented at University Hospital Kerry this year. These increases are proving challenging. The increases are more than just demographic increases. There are more presentations to our emergency departments and it is quite a significant challenge. This winter has been no exception. The Government has taken a number of measures to try to alleviate this with funding. An allocation of €85 million was made, with €40 million allocated specifically for winter measures this year and an additional €11.6 million was allocated for waiting list initiatives such as opening new beds and transitional care beds. A total of 189 beds have been opened overall in the system but I appreciate there is a lot more to do. We will continue to work with, and keep the pressure on, the HSE try to alleviate those situations of which Deputy Ferris has spoken and in many hospitals across the country.

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