Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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I wish to raise what has been a topical issue for many years in the Waterford and south east region, the availability of around-the-clock, seven days a week invasive cardiology services at Waterford Regional Hospital which will soon become Waterford University Hospital. I acknowledge the great progress made with regard to the provision for the people of the south east of essential emergency services for invasive cardiology treatment in the event of a heart attack. The region has a population of almost 500,000 and in the event of a critical heart attack, Waterford University Hospital, as it will be known in the future, is the closest location for invasive treatment. The cat lab unit at Waterford Regional Hospital was opened in 2008 and at that stage it was open for two days a week but currently it is open five days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The concern is that in the event of a person in the south east region suffering a heart attack outside of those hours, for example, in the evening or at weekends, these vital services are not available. There is much talk about equality in politics and in society but I contend that there needs to be equality in access to health services for citizens living in all parts of the country. Those living in Dublin, Cork or Galway will have 24-seven access to these services but those living in Waterford or in the south east region do not have after-hours access to these vital services.

I call on the Government and I ask the Minister of State for reassurances about the commitments made that this regional service would be retained. There was much concern when the reconfiguration of hospital services was announced some time ago. Commitments were made that regional services such as this would be retained at Waterford hospital. I am seeking reassurances that we are moving along and that a genuine effort is being made by the HSE, the Government and by the Department of Health, to deliver this vital service to ensure equality of access to health services for citizens in the south east. What is needed is a second cat lab, additional consultants and supporting staff. I am hopeful the Minister of State will be able to respond positively to my request as I carry this message from Waterford and the south east region from people who are genuinely concerned and who want this equal access to vital services.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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On behalf of the Minister for Health, I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and affording me, on behalf of the Minister, an opportunity to respond.

In the context of the implementation of hospital groups the range of services currently available in Waterford Regional Hospital, including coronary care, will be retained and enhanced. The hospital's cardiology department provides the regional service for 500,000 people and offers a comprehensive range of invasive and non-invasive diagnostic services. Deputies will acknowledge that considerable achievements have been made since the Waterford Regional Hospital cardiology interventional suite opened in May 2008 on a two-day per week basis. In October 2009, the operation of the service was extended to five days per week and incorporated a dedicated six-bed cardiac day ward.

The regional cardiac catheterisation laboratory in Waterford Regional Hospital provides equal access to services from the four acute hospitals in the region. Since its establishment, the laboratory has provided access to cardiac angiography and complex cardiac cases for 8,255 patients and 11,890 procedures. These patients would otherwise have had to travel to either Cork or Dublin to receive services.

In 2013, 1,709 patients were seen and 2,404 procedures undertaken. Patients presenting with an acute myocardial infarction to Waterford Regional Hospital can now receive emergency percutaneous coronary artery intervention, PCI, to open the blocked artery immediately and limit the damage to the heart muscle.

Since October 2012, the Waterford Regional Hospital interventional suite has been identified as the designated primary percutaneous coronary intervention centre as part of the national acute coronary syndrome programme covering counties Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford and south County Tipperary. The Minister understands the hospital intends to develop a fourth consultant post as part of its operational plan for 2015. Furthermore, a business case to extend the opening hours of the cardiac catheterisation laboratory is being prepared by the hospital with a view to providing primary percutaneous coronary artery intervention on a 24-7 basis and developing a second cardiac catheterisation laboratory.

The establishment of hospital groups is a key building block in delivering on the programme for Government commitment to fundamentally reform the health service and will provide the optimum configuration for hospital services to deliver high quality, safe patient care in a cost-effective manner. Waterford Regional Hospital, as a key hospital in the south-south west hospital group, will have significant finks to the group's academic partner, University College Cork, which will provide opportunities for sharing of experiences and expertise as well as furthering the research agenda.

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of Health for providing reassurance to people in the south east region that the current services at Waterford Regional Hospital will be retained and enhanced. I also note the statement that since October 2012, "the Waterford Regional Hospital interventional suite has been identified as the designated primary percutaneous coronary intervention centre as part of the national acute coronary syndrome programme covering counties Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford and south County Tipperary".

According to cardiologists, in the event of a heart attack, international best practice shows that angioplasty is the most effective treatment as it significantly reduces mortality, decreases shock, lowers the risk of stroke and gives a better, longer-term outcome. However, this intervention must be delivered within 90 minutes of a heart attack occurring. This is an issue for the south east region and people living in counties Kilkenny, Wexford, Carlow and south Tipperary who must have access to these vital services at Waterford Regional Hospital. I welcome the statement committing the Government, over time, to deliver a 24-7 cardiology service at the hospital.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I assure the Deputy that Waterford Regional Hospital intends to develop a fourth consultant post as part of its operational plan for 2015. The business case for extending opening hours is being prepared for the hospital, with a view to meeting the commitment to provide a 24-7 service. I look forward to that development.