A former Fianna Fáil Minister has described the lack of 24/7 cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford as “disgraceful”.
Martin Cullen was speaking to WLR at the SETU count centre this afternoon during counting for the General Election 2024.
He suggested the small print underneath signage for UHW should read “subsidiary of Cork”.
“Waterford is the capital of the region. We need Waterford hospital to be master of its own destiny,” he said.
He described a region such as the South-East as being without 24/7 cardiac care as “disgraceful”.
”There shouldn’t even be a discussion. It has to be done, it’s as simple as that. It’s a necessity.”
Mr Cullen, who served as Transport Minister from 2004 to 2007, said there should also be “no question” in relation to the future development of Waterford Airport.
He outlined how plans were in place for a new runway when he was Minister but for “various reasons” it did not happen.
In general, he says Waterford has not received its fair share of investment in recent times.
”I’m looking to both Mary Butler and John Cummins to rectify that,” he said.
”Waterford needs Cabinet representation. I want to see a Cabinet Minister appointed from Waterford.”
In relation to Sinn Féin’s success in Waterford with two seats, Martin Cullen said both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael had left the west of the county “wide open” for too long and Sinn Fein had capitalised on this.
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