Written answers

Tuesday, 4 July 2017

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

384. To ask the Minister for Health the procedure in place if a person that lives in the south-east presents to their local or regional hospital with an emergency cardiac condition outside of the PPCI hours available in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31105/17]

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

385. To ask the Minister for Health the cardiac services available at University Hospital Waterford on a 24-hour, seven-days- a-week basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31106/17]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 385 together.

The cardiology department at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) provides a wide range of non-invasive and invasive cardiac services, including ECG, coronary angiography and coronary angioplasty and stenting procedures. 24/7 consultant medical emergency cover is provided for all patients, including cardiology patients, at UHW. The out of hours consultant medical cover is provided on a rota basis and includes consultant general physicians and consultant cardiologists. Patients in the South East have access to out-of-hours Primary PCI services at Cork University Hospital or St James's Hospital, Dublin. Alternatively, thrombolysis can be performed at the nearest Emergency Department.

Following a targeted initiative, there has been a significant improvement in waiting times for cardiology procedures at UHW; the most recent data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund, which is for May 2017, indicates that a total of 296 patients were waiting for a cardiology inpatient or daycase procedure, with 189 of these waiting less than three months. In his review of cardiology services at UHW, Dr Niall Herity recommended additional investment to increase capacity at the hospital. An additional €0.5m funding was provided to the hospital to enable it to provide two additional cardiac catheterisation laboratory (cath lab) sessions per week, equivalent to a 20% expansion in operating hours. A tender was issued in June for the provision of a temporary mobile cath lab which will contribute, on an interim basis, to the further reduction in elective cardiology waiting lists at UHW.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.