Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2019
308. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the catheterisation laboratory development in University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48823/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2016, the Herity Report concluded that the needs of the effective catchment population of University Hospital Waterford (UHW) could be accommodated from a single cath lab and recommended that the operating hours of the existing cath lab should be extended. Approval and funding has been provided for the additional staff required to facilitate this service and recruitment is progressing.
A mobile cath lab has been deployed at UHW since October 2017 to conduct diagnostic cardiac procedures pending the recruitment of the additional staff required to extend the opening hours of the existing cath lab.
I remain committed to the provision of a second cath lab in University Hospital Waterford. The project has been included in the HSE’s Capital Programme 2019, the Design Team was appointed in June 2019 and the application for planning permission was lodged on 29 October.
The Herity Report also recommended that the current 9 to 5 provision of emergency pPCI services should cease to allow the hospital focus on the much larger volume of planned work. I asked my Department to address the implications of this recommendation by arranging for 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.
Work is ongoing on finalisation of the Review and drafting of its recommendations has commenced.
