Former Waterford TD calls for Government to 'finish the job' on 24/7 cardiac care

A former Waterford TD has called on the Government to 'finish the job' when it comes to delivering 24/7 cardiac care in University Hospital Waterford. 

Matt Shanahan posted on Facebook praise the "family prayers answered" over the bank holiday weekend as a number of urgent heart attack cases were able to be dealt with in a timely manner. 

This is something that was "impossible" a year ago as the hospital's Cath lab was not up and running.

"The truth is a heart attack, on a bank holiday weekend in the south east 12 months ago would mean significant delays to appropriate care. It meant at the very least irreversible heart damage and very likely, onward life changing and life limiting implications affecting patients and family members hugely," Matt posted. 

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The Cath lab is something people in Waterford fought for for many years and that fight continues as promises for 24/7 cardiac care from the Government are yet to be fulfilled.

"We now need to see the job finished!," Matt said.

According to him, University Hospital Waterford is one of the busiest hospitals of its kind in the country but has over 1,000 less staff members than similar hospitals. 

He called on the Government to release the funding needed to deliver "around the clock" care but also told his followers "don't hold your breath." 

In April, Health Minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, announced that the current cath labs opening hours would be extended to be open 24/7, however that is still not the case. 

€611,000 was announced to make the move.