University Hospital Waterford set for 24/7 cardiac care as HSE issues major update
CEO Ben O’Sullivan was responding to a parliamentary question submitted by Waterford TD David Cullinane
University Hospital Waterford (UHW) is expected to have 24/7 cardiac care services in place by July, the hospital’s CEO has said.
Ben O’Sullivan, CEO of UHW, was responding to a parliamentary question submitted by Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane.
Deputy Cullinane had requested an update on the provision of 24/7 cardiac care services from the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.
Minister Carroll MacNeill subsequently passed the request on to the Health Service Executive (HSE).
In a letter of response to Deputy Cullinane, Mr O’Sullivan provided an update on efforts being made to implement the around the clock service.
Mr O’Sullivan said: “I can advise that it is anticipated that University Hospital Waterford is scheduled to begin 24/7 primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and emergency cardiac care, expanding from the current 8am to 8pm seven day service, by July 2026.”
He went on to say that UHW had sought 27 full-time staff to expand its existing service to run 24/7 and that the hospital was subsequently allocated 10 full-time workers.
“Recruitment is now underway for the additional 10 posts with a view to be operational for Q3 of 2026.
“UHW does not currently have any vacancies across the current service.”
Mr O’Sullivan added that the staff will not be “solely dedicated to PPCI on call services but also all elective and diagnostic activity across the two cath labs at UHW”.
In a post on Facebook, Deputy Cullinane described the update as “very welcome news for Waterford and the South East”.
He continued: “This has been a long time coming. For years, patients, families, campaigners, clinicians and public representatives have called for this essential service at UHW.
“This will save lives. When someone has a serious cardiac event, time matters. Patients in Waterford and across the South East deserve access to emergency cardiac care when they need it, day or night.”
Deputy Cullinane concluded by saying he would continue to engage with the HSE and Minister Carroll MacNeill to ensure that the service is in place later this year.