Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My colleagues and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the late Thomas Power's wife, Bernie, and their unborn child. I hope the closest in the family will protect, comfort and support them in such a time of need.

At the heart of this matter is the question of whether University Hospital Waterford is a level 4 regional hospital providing tertiary care for the people of the south east. This is decided according to population size and the size of the catchment area. There are considerable issues about the size of the catchment area and the population of the south east. The hospital claims to serve a population of almost 600,000 people, but the Herity report refers to a figure of 286,000.The model of care for acute coronary systems has been delved into. I note from replies to parliamentary questions from the Department that the following has been stated:

The designation of Cardiac units is 24/7 or 9/5 centres is based on current staff and facilities enabling them to deliver an acute coronary syndrome service.

Designations are linked to predicted volumes of activity based solely on population need but also on the link between outcome and activity.

There are major issues involving staffing and facilities across the board in the health care system. I am sure it takes up all of the Minister's time. This is all related to capacity. We have an ageing population. I was shocked to learn when looking into another matter that in 2004 we had a population of 3.9 million in the Twenty-six Counties and in 2016 the population had increased to 4.7 million, which is almost but not quite 5 million, and meanwhile our population is ageing and it is expected to continue to grow. People are living longer and services have to begin to match the needs of our population that is increasing in urban and rural areas across the country.

The programme for Government originally committed to a second cath lab for University Hospital Waterford subject to an independent clinical review. The review, which was the Herity report, recommended ceasing all primary PCI care causing huge shock and upset. The full implementation of the report is now subject to a national review. Sinn Féin respectfully challenges the findings of this review. It will not consider pre-existing HSE policy and the role of the hospital as a regional level 4 hospital. My colleague, Deputy David Cullinane has produced a report, Cardiac Services for the South East - the National Review of the PPCI. It is a discussion document. He asks that we take this into account in making sure that a second cath lab is delivered for University Hospital in Waterford. He will host a presentation on the report next Tuesday to highlight the lack of 24/7 cardiac provision for the south-east region. I ask everybody to attend it in the AV Room at 1 p.m.

Having been a nurse with more than 30 years experience I, and other Members, have much to bring to this debate. Previous speakers spoke of the need for services that they have identified in their areas. I am removed from that being based in Dublin but we all know what is needed in all the service areas. When somebody says a service is needed but it is pending an independent review, I become increasingly more cynical because that kicks the issue down the road and then another report can be published recommending that the service should not be provided.

We have had statements upon statements on serious issues of national importance in this House. I do not know what is the usefulness of having statements. I, and I am sure other Members, would much rather, in terms of respect for this House, if we spent much more time scrutinising legislation and analysing and implementing health policy rather than making statements. I am unconvinced that statements do much more than kick the problem down the road. They have the appearance of making us look like we are doing something but, in reality, we are doing very little.

I will conclude by extending my deepest condolences to Mr. Power's wife, Bernie, and acknowledge the traumatic and grieving time she faces in the period ahead.