James Browne
Question:382. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46849/18]
View answerTuesday, 13 November 2018
Questions (382, 412)
James Browne
Question:412. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of 24-7 cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46968/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 412 together.
I believe there is merit in the proposal for a modular cath laboratory at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) in order to address waiting times at the hospital and to provide a better service for the people of Waterford and the South East. In July, I requested the HSE to proceed with next steps on the provision of a modular cath lab at UHW, and to revert to my Department with proposed timescales and costings.
In early September, the HSE submitted an options appraisal to the Department setting out alternative options for the location and operation of a second cath lab at UHW. Following this, at a meeting with Oireachtas members from the South East, I announced that a second cath lab would be provided at UHW. In late September, upon further examination of the building and service delivery options, the HSE submitted revised costings and a recommended option to the Department.
The HSE has advised that the project will be reviewed at the next HSE National Capital and Property Steering Committee meeting scheduled for the 13 November 2018.
The Herity report recommended that the current 9 to 5 provision of emergency pPCI services should cease in UHW to allow the hospital focus on the much larger volume of planned work. I asked the Department to address the implications of this recommendation by undertaking a National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services. 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.
As set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, investment in cardiac cath labs and other cardiac services infrastructure nationally will be informed by the outcome of the National Review, which is expected to be complete by June 2019.