Funding for new Cardiac Staff at University Hospital Waterford in move towards 24/7 Care

• Minister Cummins welcomes Cabinet approval for 24/7 cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford

• In the region of €611,000 in funding for new cardiology posts at UHW

Waterford and Fine Gael Minister John Cummins has said today marks a major milestone for the South East following Cabinet approval for the expansion of cardiac care atUniversity Hospital Waterford to 24/7.

Minister Cummins has welcomed the commitment by his Fine Gael party colleague and Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill who made the decision to move to 24/7 cardiac care on foot of the most recent data from Irish Heart Attack Audit.

Minister Carroll MacNeill also brought the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services to Cabinet.

In the region of €611,000 from existing HSE resources has been agreed today for new cardiology posts and Minister MacNeill will work with the HSE to secure 24/7 emergencycardiac care at UHW.

Minister Cummins said “This is really positive news for the people in Waterford and the South East region.

“I am delighted that the Minister is making this decision todayto expand the service at UHW to 24/7 cardiac care to meet the needs in the south-east.

“This is something which I and others have been working towards for a long number of years.

“Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to building on the existing national cardiovascular policy and developing new and more ambitious plans to enhance patient care across the regions.

“The decision today by my party colleague proves that this is a priority for Government.

“The Herity Report has now been consigned to history and we can now look forward with confidence to cardiology servicesat UHW being expanded in the time ahead until we reach our shared goal of 24/7.

“Minister Carroll MacNeill has informed me that she is making in the region of €611,000 available for the recruitment of further staff to bolster the current service which as we know has been extended since March 18th to 8-8 seven days a week.

“Today’s announcement has been a long time in the works but ultimately the foundations lie in the decision by Fine Gael Minister for Health Simon Harris in October 2018 to proceed with the approval of the second Cardiac Cath lab.

“The construction of the second Cath lab at UHW, along with significant additional staffing resources (24 WTE’s) has enabled the service to expand and demonstrate the throughout required to sustain the service. The Ministers decision, in the context of the National Review of Cardiac Services copper-fastens the direction of travel to 24/7 Cardiac Services for patients across the South East.

Minister Cummins concluded by saying: “The HSE will outline an implementation plan for the overall cardiac strategy this summer and I look forward to working with my Fine Gael colleague Minister Carroll MacNeill, hospital management and the HSE to ensure the required staffing can be recruited ina safe and sustainable manner.”