Wednesday, 28 Sep 2016

Written Answers Nos. 201-208

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (201, 202)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

201. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the tertiary services that University Hospital Waterford provides to patients in the south east. [27668/16]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

202. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the actual population mass upon which services at University Hospital Waterford are based. [27669/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together.

With regard to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

203. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he had any engagement, written or otherwise, with a person (details supplied) as part of the process leading to the publication of a report into cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford; and if so, if he will publish the correspondence. [27670/16]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

204. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the HSE officials who interacted with a person (details supplied) as part of their work in preparing the report into cardiology services at University Hospital Waterford. [27671/16]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

205. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the names of the Department officials who interacted with a person (details supplied) as part of their work in preparing the report into cardiology services at University Hospital Waterford. [27672/16]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

206. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the regional or national hospital officials and consultants who interacted with a person (details supplied) as part of their work in preparing the report into cardiology services at University Hospital Waterford. [27673/16]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

207. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the departmental specific briefings, briefing notes, background notes or scoping documents he received both prior to and after the publication of a report (details supplied) relating to enhancing cardiology services at University Hospital Waterford. [27674/16]

David Cullinane

Ceist:

208. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the departmental specific briefings, briefing notes, background notes or scoping documents that were given by his Department to a person (details supplied) both prior to and after the publication of the report relating to enhancing cardiology services at University Hospital Waterford. [27675/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 to 208, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government committed to the development of a second Cath Lab in University Hospital Waterford, subject to a favourable recommendation from an independent clinical review of the needs of the region. The review was undertaken by Dr Niall Herity, a highly respected, Belfast based NHS cardiologist. During the course of the review Dr Herity met, and had interactions with, a wide range of people and relevant stakeholders as required by the agreed Terms of Reference. This included the South-South West Hospital Group, representatives from University Hospital Waterford and Cork University Hospital, HSE Acute Hospitals Division, the National Ambulance Service, the Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) Programme, the Chief Medical Officer and the Department of Health. My own engagement was limited to providing the Terms of Reference, and a meeting with Dr Herity after receiving the report.

In the course of these engagements, Dr Herity received a number of specific briefings and documents. I note that a request for documents in relation to this issue, submitted by the Deputy under the Freedom of Information Acts, is currently under consideration in my Department.

I would also like to advise the Deputy that the ACS programme was initiated to standardise the treatment of patients suffering from heart attack in its different forms. The Programme has developed a model of care which describes the treatment of ACS and the protocols for an Optimal Reperfusion Service, based on international guidelines and best practice. A national review of PPCI and PCI services is to be undertaken and completed by July 2017; recommendations will be made regarding the future configuration of these services, including the number and location of centres required to serve the population needs.