Written answers

Tuesday, 14 July 2020

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1175. To ask the Minister for Health his plans with regard to the provision of 24-7 emergency cardiac care at the primary percutaneous coronary intervention, PCI, centre in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15454/20]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In 2016, the Herity Report concluded that the needs of the effective catchment population of University Hospital Waterford (UHW) could be accommodated from a single cath lab and recommended that the operating hours of the existing cath lab should be extended.

The HSE has advised that an additional Consultant Interventional Cardiologist post to support a seven (7) day; 8 am – 8 pm service in the existing Cath Lab was advertised by the Public Appointment Service on 27 September 2019. Interviews for this position took place on 27 January 2020, the post is now at the final stages of recruitment through the Public Appointment Services and it is expected that it will be filled very soon.

The Programme For Government commits to the delivery of a second cath lab in University Hospital Waterford. As set out in the HSE’s options appraisal, the preferred option is for a second cath lab and associated 12 bed day ward (delivering six additional beds) on the roof of the existing Cardiology Department, which will operate five days per week and provide diagnostic services only.

The HSE has advised that funding was allocated in the 2019 Capital Plan for the provision of second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford, planning permission was received from Waterford City and County Council in January 2020. Applications for fire and disability certification are currently in progress. Preparation of contract documentation has commenced and contractor selection is underway. Works and schedules were delayed due to COVID-19, but it is now anticipated that the project will go to tender in late August/early September.

The Herity Report also recommended that the current 9 to 5 provision of emergency pPCI services should cease to allow the hospital focus on the much larger volume of planned work. The then Minister for Health asked the Department to address the implications of this recommendation by arranging for a National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services.

The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group was formed from nominations from interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives.

The aim of this Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service.

While it is hoped that the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services can be completed in the near future so that decisions can be made with regard to the continued investment and upgrading of Specialist Cardiac Services in Ireland, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has, unfortunately, had an adverse impact on its progression.

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