FURTHER concerns have been expressed over the future of a second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford (UHW).Although it had been claimed that funding had been secured, documentation sent by the HSE to a local Councillor states that the delivery of a second cath lab remains subject to “funding approvals”.In a reply to queries on the issue from Cllr Davy Daniels (Ind), the HSE also refers to a programme of 18 months from now to completion of the new build which is “somewhat longer than the original draft programme”.
Cardiac campaigner Willie Doyle
The reply notes that the additional consultant interventional cardiologist required to support a seven day 8am-8pm service was approved by the Consultant Appointments Advisory Committee (CAAC) on May 17th and adds that the plan involves the construction of a second cath lab operational five days per week with six additional beds. Services will continue to be delivered in accordance with national policy in relation to out of hours PPCI.
Local campaigners say the response from the HSE doesn’t offer anything concrete.
Willie Doyle of the 24/7 Cardiac Care for the South-East campaign group has expressed his disappointment over the lack of clarity surrounding funding for the project and said people had believed that funding had already been secured. He added that their campaign has always focused on the 24/7 provision of cardiac care and notes the HSE’s statement that a second cath lab will be operational “five days per week”.