Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
833. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons to be treated and the length of time a mobile cath lab will be in place at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13307/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent months, the South/South West Hospital Group (SSWHG) has made very significant progress to address waiting list for cardiology procedures at University Hospital Waterford (UHW). Waiting list data, compiled and published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), provides evidence that the cardiology inpatient/daycase procedure waiting list at the hospital has reduced by over 28% since the end of November, and the number of persons waiting longer than a year has reduced by some 87%. At the end of February 2017, a total of 433 patients remained on the list.
The focus on the UHW cardiology waiting list continues. The SSWHG has a robust plan in place to address the remaining backlog which involves access to cath lab capacity across the region. In addition, as recommended in the Herity Report, an additional €.5m funding has been provided to UHW in 2017, which will enable the hospital to provide 2 additional cath lab sessions (8 hours) per week.
The Deputy may also be aware that I have written to the HSE Director General requesting that consideration be given to a targeted Cardiology Waiting List initiative. Such an initiative would, I envisage, incorporate a range of measures including the sharing of facilities and resources within and between Hospital Groups, the use of any appropriate facilities in the private hospital sector, as well as the deployment of a mobile cath lab. In that context, I expect that the HSE will examine the need to provide a mobile cath lab for a specific period in UHW, having regard to the current waiting list. I look forward to receiving the HSE's proposals in this regard.
