The second cath lab in Waterford is set to officially open this morning, according to Independent TD Matt Shanahan.
It was confirmed earlier this year by Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, that the second lab would be fully operational by September.
The news has been welcomed by Deputy Shanahan, who says it has been a long time coming.
"This is the culmination of years of effort by the people of Waterford and the South East as well as the medical community, who have never stopped advocating for patient needs and 24/7 cardiac care. The new cath lab represents over €10 million spent in the Waterford cardiac suite and as well as interventional procedures. It will also offer new diagnostics and implant services to regulate heart rhythm and function."
The Independent TD believes this is a momentous day for Waterford.
In 2016 a National report commissioned by government, it was recommended that no such service provision should be allocated to UHW and the patients that it serves. Today is a momentous day for Waterford healthcare and for the region as it shows, deliberate, systemic obstruction to developing this region's health services to favour outside centers can be broken."
Waterford Minister for Mental Health & Older People, Mary Butler TD commented on the opening stating “I am delighted to confirm that the second cath lab at UHW officially becomes operational from this morning. The new facility will receive its first cases in the lab today and live systems training is already well underway."
Seven day operating schedules are believed to be in place potentially by December of 2023.
