Written answers
Thursday, 5 March 2015
Department of Health
Hospital Facilities
Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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182. To ask the Minister for Health if a decision has been made regarding the business plan to build a second catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford; if his attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied) from the then Minister, Deputy Reilly, on 13 May 2013, which promised that the new hospital groups will enable us to achieve our goal of providing cardiac services at Waterford regional hospital, 24 hours a day, seven days a week; when this will happen for persons in County Waterford and the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9635/15]
Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the correspondence referenced by the Deputy. I am also aware that a business case, prepared by University Hospital Waterford, for the development of a second catheterisation lab and a 24 hour emergency PCI service, is under consideration within the South West Hospital Group.
As for any complex acute hospital service, a key criterion for deciding whether a 24 hour PCI service should be provided is whether there is a sufficient volume of appropriate activity to ensure safe provision of the service to patients. Without sufficient volume, the clinical staff will not be in a position to treat the number of patients needed to maintain their skills and deliver a safe service.
A review of PCI services in Dublin is nearing completion. Following that process, PCI capacity and requirements in areas outside of Dublin, including in Waterford, will be examined. Any decision on further provision of PCI services, in any region, will be based upon evidence on the volume of clinical need, the quality and safety of the service which can be provided, and the resources available.
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