Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1703. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he had any contact with a person (details supplied) in advance of a vote of confidence in the Government on cardiac services in Sligo; if so, the nature of the contact; if any commitments on service provision were given; if so, the details of commitments that were given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40057/22]
View answer1704. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he had any contact with hospital management or cardiologists at Sligo University Hospital following discussions with a person (details supplied) in advance of a vote of confidence in the Government on cardiac services in Sligo; if so, the nature of the contact; if any commitments on service provision were given; if so, the details of commitments that were given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40058/22]
View answer1705. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the details of the range of cardiac services available at Sligo University Hospital; the number of cardiologists who work in the hospital; and the plans to extend cardiac care at the hospital. [40059/22]
View answer1706. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the mobile catheterisation laboratory or cath lab at Sligo University Hospital will return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40060/22]
View answer1708. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when plans for a centralised cardiology department at Sligo University Hospital were first proposed; the development timeline to date, including business cases or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40062/22]
View answer1709. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent cardiologists at Sligo University Hospital; when plans to increase the number to three were agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40063/22]
View answer1710. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when Sligo University Hospital made a submission requesting a new coronary CT angio scanner; when he received the application; when the application was approved; when the funding was approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40064/22]
View answer1960. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a commitment was given for a centralised cardiology department at Sligo University Hospital to a Deputy in meetings held between 29 June and 5 July; the nature and extent of the commitment; the detail of the commitment; the timeframe of the commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41467/22]
View answer1961. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a commitment was given to provide a coronary CT angio scanner and associated support in radiography, radiology and administration at Sligo University Hospital to a Deputy in meetings held between 29 June and 5 July; the nature and extent of the commitment; the detail of the commitment; the timeframe of the commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41468/22]
View answer1962. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a commitment was given regarding provision of resources to increase the number of whole-time equivalent cardiologists to three at Sligo University Hospital to a Deputy in meetings held between 29 June and 5 July; the nature and extent of the commitment; the detail of the commitment; the timeframe of the commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41469/22]
View answer1963. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a decision was made to provide for a centralised cardiology department at Sligo University Hospital; when this decision was made; the person who made this decision; if and when a business case was submitted or considered; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41470/22]
View answer1964. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a decision was made to provide a coronary CT angio scanner and associated support in radiography, radiology and administration at Sligo University Hospital; when this decision was made; the person who made the decision; if and when a business case was submitted or considered; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41471/22]
View answer1965. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if a decision was made to provide for an increase in the number of whole-time equivalent cardiologists at Sligo University Hospital to three; when this decision was made; the person who made this decision; if and when a business case was submitted or considered; the timeline of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41472/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1703 to 1706, inclusive, 1708 to 1710, inclusive, and 1960 to 1965, inclusive, together.
Sligo University Hospital provides a range of cardiology services, including inpatient cardiology unit, non-invasive cardiology such as Echo and TOE, Stress Testing, BP, Holter and Event Monitoring providing direct GP access. Clinics covering cardiology, heart failure and pacemaker are also in place, along with a cardiac rehabilitation service. In addition, the hospital had a Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory service operating 1 to 2 days per week (a mobile service provided by a private company) delivering diagnostic angiographies, with referral pathways to Galway University Hospitals for Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCIs) and other speciality Cardiology interventions up to the 30th June 2022.
Following the decision of this private company to cease the mobile Cath Lab Services at Sligo University Hospital, the Saolta Group worked with hospital management on possible contingency measures. The service will now be temporarily be provided at University Hospital Galway (UHG) with designated access provided for Sligo patients at the UHG Cath Lab Unit.
Design and decisions related to the development and delivery of specific cardiology services in Sligo have been in development over a number of years. The National Review of Cardiac Services is in the final stages and is due to be completed shortly and will be considered for ongoing development.
This review will set out the roadmap for future delivery for cardiac services nationally.
The aim of the 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.
This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults.
There is ongoing engagement on the development of services at Sligo hospital, with a number of meetings held over the last 2 years including with TDs from the locality to provide them with an update on developments in relation to cardiac services.
Developments at the hospital are being progressed in line with national strategic planning, capital planning and the annual estimates process as appropriate.
