From Deputy David Cullinane TD
The Minister for Health agreed to fund and deliver a second permanent Cath Lab at University Hospital Waterford. Below is more detail as a number of people sought additional clarification.
1. The second Lab will be a permanent solution and will carry out both diagnostic angiograms and interventional cardiology
2. It will be built on top of the existing Lab. The other option was to relocate the Orthodontic Unit but this would take too long and was seen by Oireachtas members as unacceptable.
3. The second Lab will include all additional and ancillary structures and services including additional staff and cardiologists.
4. The total capital cost is €3.1m and this will be provided for in October
5. A working group of the HSE will be immediately established to ensure this is delivered as quickly as possible
6. Oireachtas members will be given monthly updates and progress reports
7. The CEO and Chief Operational Officer at the South/Southwest Hospital Group will meet with the Waterford Oireachtas members on a monthly basis to progress other issues at the hospital
8. One of the Labs at UHW will provide PPCI (emergency cardiac care on a 8am to 8pm basis)
9. A new Air Ambulance service will be supported and funded in October
10. The National Review will decide on whether to designate UHW a 24/7 PPCI service. All data including patient numbers, regional need and figures from the ACS report will feed into the National Review
“I appreciate that this will fall short of some people’s expectations. However it is a massive step forward and is as a result of pressure from local and regional Oireachtas members, campaign groups and local clinicians as well as the local media who keep the public informed” said Cullinane
“The monthly meetings with Oireachtas members will provide an opportunity to progress other issues at UHW including capacity in A&E, wait times for a range of specialities and staff shortages in a number of areas”, he contiune.
Cullinane went on to say “It proves that by all local Oireachtas members (bar one) putting on the Blue and White Jersey, being persistent and working in tandem with our regional colleagues we can make a difference. We still have a long road to go but today represents significant progress.”
4. The total capital cost is €3.1m and this will be provided for in October
5. A working group of the HSE will be immediately established to ensure this is delivered as quickly as possible
6. Oireachtas members will be given monthly updates and progress reports
7. The CEO and Chief Operational Officer at the South/Southwest Hospital Group will meet with the Waterford Oireachtas members on a monthly basis to progress other issues at the hospital
8. One of the Labs at UHW will provide PPCI (emergency cardiac care on a 8am to 8pm basis)
9. A new Air Ambulance service will be supported and funded in October
10. The National Review will decide on whether to designate UHW a 24/7 PPCI service. All data including patient numbers, regional need and figures from the ACS report will feed into the National Review
“I appreciate that this will fall short of some people’s expectations. However it is a massive step forward and is as a result of pressure from local and regional Oireachtas members, campaign groups and local clinicians as well as the local media who keep the public informed” said Cullinane
“The monthly meetings with Oireachtas members will provide an opportunity to progress other issues at UHW including capacity in A&E, wait times for a range of specialities and staff shortages in a number of areas”, he contiune.
Cullinane went on to say “It proves that by all local Oireachtas members (bar one) putting on the Blue and White Jersey, being persistent and working in tandem with our regional colleagues we can make a difference. We still have a long road to go but today represents significant progress.”
