Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

For the third time in two weeks, I raise with the Tánaiste and Minister for Health the closure of the cath lab in Sligo University Hospital. As the Minister will be aware, the lab is closing its doors today and we now have no service north of a line extending from Dublin to Galway. I wrote to the Minister almost two weeks ago asking for an emergency meeting with all four Deputies in the constituency and I am still awaiting a response to confirm that meeting will take place. The current service is a private one and it closes its doors today. What temporary service can be put in place? Can Sligo University Hospital be included in the national review of cardiac services? It is my understanding that it may not be included and we must have a commitment that it will be included. There has been a failure until now to provide a proper cath lab service in Sligo. I am asking that heart patients in the north west be able to access those life-saving treatments.

See this speech in context