Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

142. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the designation of a primary percutaneous coronary intervention, PCI, centre for ST elevation myocardial infarction, STEMI, patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43465/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH), St. James’s Hospital and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital operate as designated 24/7 Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI) centres for the Greater Dublin Area.

In relation to the withdrawal of SVUH as a 24/7 PPCI centre, the HSE has advised my Department that a premature decision was taken in this regard without the normal notifications to relevant stakeholders. This resulted in a temporary suspension over last weekend of ambulance transfers to SVUH for patients suspected of having ST elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).

SVUH resumed as a 24/7 PPCI centre at 8 a.m. on Tuesday 11 November 2014.

Ambulance staff were instructed to take confirmed STEMI patients in the greater Dublin area to either of the other two 24/7 PPCI centres - St. James’s Hospital or Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. All patients who presented directly to SVUH with suspected STEMI were able to avail of PPCI in SVUH 24/7, if deemed clinically necessary.

The HSE has advised that a redesign of the PPCI programme - especially in relation to out of hours - is currently underway. The Acute Coronary Syndrome Programme in collaboration with the Acute Hospitals Division and National Ambulance Service of the HSE will enter discussions with all Dublin hospitals currently delivering PPCI, with a view to devising the most effective and sustainable model of care for PPCI in the region.