Matt Shanahan Presses for Cardiac Daybeds as Waterford Cat Lab Nears
Matt Shanahan raised concerns about cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford, reporting the second cat lab is nearly completed and urging additional cardiac daybeds and capital supports. He praised recent reductions in trolley counts and longer-term waiting lists but warned that day ward capacity and capital delivery remain incomplete.
Overview
Matt Shanahan told the Dáil he has repeatedly brought up Waterford Hospital and Cardiac Care and welcomed that the second cat lab is "more or less completed" with a commissioning phase due over the next eight to ten weeks. He credited University Hospital Waterford with strong clinical leadership and a marked reduction in trolley numbers and waiting lists.
Day ward capacity shortfall
He warned the hospital still lacks cat lab beds dedicated for the day ward and said he had spoken to the minister, who indicated the issue is being progressed. Shanahan asked for additional cardiac daybeds to be provided to meet demand.
Capital supports and project delivery
The deputy said discussions about additional capital supports have continued for almost a year but nothing has been delivered - estates are producing new designs but there are no project managers or funding in place. He called on the Government to look again at capital delivery for the hospital.
Performance and recent investments
Shanahan highlighted that recent additional resources in the Dunmore wing contributed to improvements, and he noted a greater than 20 per cent impact on longer-term waiting lists. He presented University Hospital Waterford as one of the best performing hospitals on trolley counts.
Government response and next steps
The Tánaiste acknowledged the progress and committed to examine options for extending bed capacity to keep pace with a rising and ageing population. He said he was determined to work with the deputy and the minister to ensure the second cat lab is commissioned and operating in the early part - and certainly the first half - of next year.
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I have brought the issue of Waterford Hospital and Cardiac Care into the Dáil a number of times and I am glad to report that the second cat lab is now more or less completed, there is a commissioning phase to happen over the next eight to ten weeks and I think it has to be recognised the efforts of University Hospital Waterford which is now the standout hospital in the country in terms of both reducing the lowest trolley count in the country and the most significant impact to its longer term waiting lists done by over 20 per cent. Tanaiste, the hospital is still struggling in terms of resourcing, we still have no cat labs beds dedicated for the day ward and I spoke to Minister Donnelly last night and he said this is being progressed but we need additional effort here in terms of University Hospital Waterford, there has been discussion now for almost a year about additional capital supports to that hospital, none of them have happened, we have estates running around talking about new designs, nothing being delivered, no project managers, no funding, so I would ask you please to have a look at this and give us the additional Cardiac Daybeds please. Thank you. Thanks Deputy, I can certainly give you the commitment that the Government will examine that, a lot of progress as you say has been made in Waterford in recent years particularly with a very major improvement in Trolleyweights, one of the best performing hospitals now, that is in part because of the good clinical leadership and management there but also the additional resources in the Dunmore wing but with a rising and ageing population if we do not continue to expand the hospital we will fall backwards again. So we will certainly examine what can be done in terms of extending bed capacity and I am really pleased to hear the second cat lab is nearing completion, it has been a very long saga and it is great to see that that is the case and I am determined to work with the Deputy and everyone involved and the Minister of Health in making sure that that is commissioned and operating in the early part or certainly the first half of next year. Mr. Governor. Governor Secretary. You
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