Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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387. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the position regarding the national review of primary percutaneous coronary intervention and percutaneous coronary intervention services being undertaken; if it will be completed by July 2017 as previously committed to; the date on which the review started; the membership of the review body; the number of meetings held to date by the body (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32231/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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All decisions on how we configure our health services must be evidence-based. The Deputy will be aware that, on publication of the report of Dr Niall Herity into the requirement for a second cardiac catheterisation laboratory (cath lab) at University Hospital Waterford, I indicated my intention to arrange for a national review of all primary PCI services. The aim of the review is to ensure that as many patients as possible have access on a 24/7 basis to safe and sustainable emergency interventions following a heart attack. I can confirm that this national review will proceed, and that it will be based on independent clinical expertise, and my Department is currently considering the arrangements for the review.

A separate review will be undertaken into the impact of additional investment in planned cath lab services at UHW, and this will take place after the period of deployment of a mobile cath lab at Waterford, currently being procured.