Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the important issue of 24-7 emergency PPI cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford. The Minister, Deputy Harris, met the Deputy and many other Oireachtas Members from the south east last week to discuss the issue. I am happy to provide an update to the House in this regard. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy John Halligan, for his determined efforts on behalf of the people of Waterford on this issue.

The Herity report of 2016 concluded that the needs of the Waterford catchment area could be met by a single cath lab but it recommended that the existing lab be staffed and funded to provide additional sessions. That funding has been provided and I am happy to report that recruitment, which is being progressed by local management and the HSE’s national recruitment service, is at an advanced stage.

On the issue of ambulance transfer times, the analysis of emergency patient transfer times between University Hospital Waterford and Cork University Hospital in the period October 2015 to June 2016, undertaken by Dr. Herity, was based on information from the national ambulance service, NAS, on the times of contemporary blue light journeys between the two hospitals.

As the Deputy is also aware, a national review of specialised cardiac services is taking place. This review is considering all adult cardiac service needs and their optimal service configuration as a whole. This will take on board not simply geographical location but also best international practice standards to provide a clinically effective safe service for all adults with cardiac disease. The national review will provide a sound scientific foundation for policy making in this area from 2019 onwards. As the Deputy will be aware from last week's meeting, the provision of 24-7 primary percutaneous coronary intervention, PPCI, services in University Hospital Waterford will be considered in the context of the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services. The Deputy is also aware that the Minister is eager for a second cath lab to be operational in University Hospital Waterford to address waiting times at the hospital and provide a better service for the people of Waterford and the south east. As confirmed at the meeting with Oireachtas Members from the south east last week, plans for a second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford are now being progressed by the HSE and it will provide Members with updates throughout the process. In conclusion, and as set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, investment in cardiac cath labs and other cardiac services infrastructure nationally, and any decision with regard to the provision of 24-7 PPCI services in University Hospital Waterford will be informed by the outcome of the national review of specialist cardiac services, which is expected to be complete by June 2019.

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