The National Review of Cardiac Services (NRCS) was established by the then Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, in late 2017. The NRCS commenced in January 2018 and was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic impacted on the progress of the Review during 2020 and into 2021 due to the clinical and service commitments of steering group members and the Chair of the Review played a key role in the COVID-19 response as a member of the National Public Health Emergency. The Review gained momentum in 2022 and is now finalised.
The aim of the NRCS is to recommend configuration for a national adult cardiac service to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive. 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 and considered data from University Hospital Waterford (UHW).
The Programme for Government committed to the delivery of a second Cath Lab in UHW. The second Cath Lab opened in September 2023 and operates 5 days per week Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm. The opening hours for the existing Cath Lab were extended to 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) in Sept 2022. 24 WTEs were provided to open the second cath lab. UHW have advised that a business case for the additional staff required to extend emergency cardiac services over 7 days has been submitted to the South/South-West Hospital Group and is currently under consideration.
The HSE has advised that future cardiac developments at the hospital will be guided by the publication of the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services (NRCS) and its findings.
The Review is finalised and has been presented to Minister Donnelly, the Minister is now considering taking a Memo to Government to facilitate further discussion. The recommendations of the review will inform the future provision of cardiac services nationally.
