John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for taking this Commencement matter this morning. The need to expand cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford is a topic that we are both very passionate about. Along with Oireachtas colleagues past and present, we have both campaigned long and hard for it over many years. On the majority of items which affect Waterford and the wider south-east region, we all work collectively cross-party to advance these projects. I know the Minister of State and I would not have it any other way.

The general public and campaign groups have very much driven this issue and kept it to the forefront of everyone's mind. That is a good thing because the people of Waterford and the south east deserve equity of access to life-saving cardiac interventions in the same way as the people in other regions have. The Minister, Deputy Harris, approved the construction of the second cardiac cath lab at UHW at the end of 2018 against the advice of officials because he and the Government believed in the case being put forward by University Hospital Waterford, which was that in order to adequately treat patients in the south east in a timely fashion a second cath lab was required as the first step to expanding services which at the time only operated from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., five days a week.

It was a painfully slow process to get to 4 September when the second cath lab opened. It was beset by many delays but thankfully we now have the second cath lab operational. There have been many vested interests in medical and other areas that did not and still do not want cardiac services expanded in Waterford. However, the political will and determination has superseded those vested interests and both those cath labs are now operational five days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The next step is to expand that service to operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. I understand from both management at UHW and from officials that the final business case to expand those services has been submitted to the Department in recent weeks. I compliment all those who have worked diligently on putting that case forward. I recall a meeting which I hosted as mayor in 2016 when consultants stated that a service operating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week would actually cater for 95% throughput of all PPCI cases. I am sure the Minister of State will agree that to reach that point would be a very significant development. To have it in place by the end of quarter 1 would be welcomed by all in Waterford and the south east.

Some in opposition have cast doubt, stating that the recruitment embargo would prevent the extension of cardiac services to seven days a week. I ask the Minister of State this morning to clarify the position with the current HSE recruitment embargo. What, if any, impact will that have on the extension of services? I understand that management has indicated to the Minister of State, the HSE and the Department that if it gets the approval in short order, it will be able to commence weekend cover by the end of March.That would be hugely welcome. Will the Minister of State clarify the position around the recruitment embargo and indicate the timeline within which that business case will be appraised and the decision notified to UHW management?