David Cullinane
Question:386. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a modular laboratory at UHW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17649/18]
View answerTuesday, 24 April 2018
Questions (386)
Written answers
Following an independent review of the need for a second cath lab in University Hospital Waterford (UHW), the Herity report concluded that the needs of the effective catchment population for Waterford University Hospital could be accommodated within a single cath lab. Funding has been provided to support extension of the existing cath lab operating hours to 12 weekly sessions per week, or by 20%, as recommended in the Herity Report. Recruitment efforts to support this service extension are ongoing.
In the interim, a mobile cath lab service has also been provided. The mobile cath lab was deployed in October 2017 for an initial period of 20 weeks and this was extended in February for another 10 weeks to allow further time for the recruitment effort. As requested by the Minister, the Department has now requested proposals from the HSE on the continued deployment of the mobile cath lab. A modular cath lab has also been proposed, as an interim solution pending the outcome of the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services, and the Department of Health is currently examining this proposal at the Minister’s request.
A national review of specialist cardiac services is underway, which aims 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. In terms of scope, the National Review will cover scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults. The Steering Group for the review held its first meeting on 31 January last. As set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, investment in cardiac catheterisation laboratories and other cardiac services infrastructure nationally will be informed by the outcome of the National Review.