Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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152. To ask the Minister for Health since when the primary percutaneous coronary intervention, PPCI, unit at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24, no longer deals with emergency patients; if this centre is still in operation; the implications of the policy change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43514/14]

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

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 (ACS) 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.

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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153. To ask the Minister for Health the rationale for the decision for the announcement that St. Vincent's University Hospital will no longer be a designated primary percutaneous coronary intervention, PPCI, centre for ST, elevation myocardial infarction, STEMI, patients, identified STEMI patients should no longer be transported to SVUH but the next PPCI centre; the way STEMI patients from County Wicklow and south Dublin will now be dealt with; the way this decision was announced 24 hours before it became effective; the way decisions are communicated to front-line workers and the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43520/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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 8am 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.