Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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125. To ask the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive or the hospital group will santion a fixed cardiac catheterisation laboratory for the north west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15091/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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An important new cross-Border cardiology service which gives Co. Donegal patients suffering from a STEMI heart attack direct access to services in Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry began on 4 May 2016.

Up to 60 patients suffering from a STEMI heart attack will be treated in Altnagelvin every year. Previously, patients from the region had to be transported to University Hospital Galway so this represents a significant improvement for patients in terms of treatment time and also distance.

Patients within 90 minutes’ travelling distance of Altnagelvin Hospital will now have access to 24/7 primary Percutaneous Coronary Invention (pPCI) at the Hospital, meaning that STEMI heart attack patients will have rapid access to high quality services on their doorstep.

In a further development, the Saolta Group has appointed a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Letterkenny University Hospital, who will help to deliver the pPCI service from Altnagelvin.

Patients will be repatriated to Letterkenny University Hospital or Sligo University Hospital post-procedure for recovery.

In relation to the specific question raised, 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 my officials will follow the matter up.