Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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135. To ask the Minister for Health the services available to the population of Wexford in respect of a person who experiences myocardial infarction; and if he is satisfied with the services. [33171/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As this is an operational matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy with the detailed information required. However, on the more general issue, I can confirm that the population of Wexford have access to a Catherisation Laboratory in University Hospital Waterford (UHW), or St James's or St Vincent's Hospitals in Dublin.

The Deputy will, of course, be aware that an independent clinical review of the need for a 2nd Catherisation Laboratory in UHW was published recently. That review, which was undertaken by Dr Niall Herity a Belfast based cardiologist, looked at the population of the South East and examined hospital admissions for cardiac catherisation and percutaneous coronary intervention, by county of residence. The report indicates that some 69% of patients from Wexford, who require coronary procedures, attend UHW. In that context, the Deputy may wish to note that implementation of the recommendations of the Herity Report will enhance the cardiology services for patients in the region, by increasing the number of weekly sessions currently provided in UHW which will address waiting times and provide improved access. The additional investment required to implement the report is being considered in the context of the National Service Plan 2017.