Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2018
84. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the status of progress to recruit additional staff to expand the existing cath lab activity at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43545/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Dr Herity concluded that the needs of the effective catchment population of University Hospital Waterford could be accommodated from a single cath lab and recommended that the operating hours of the existing cath lab should be extended to provide 12 sessions of 4 hours each per week. Approval and funding has been provided for the additional staff required to facilitate this service expansion. Pending the completion of the recruitment process, a mobile cath lab has been in place since October 2017 which has improved access and reduced waiting times for patients. The recruitment of the additional staff, which is being progressed by local management and the HSE’s National Recruitment Service, is now at an advanced stage.
