The Health Minister says he's open to a further review on the issue of a second cath lab in Waterford.
This follows renewed calls for a 24 hour facility in the South East, after 39 year old Thomas Power from Belle Lake died en route from Waterford to Cork for treatment on Sunday.
Currently there is one lab at UHW which operates from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Minister Simon Harris says the decision not to set up a second cath lab in Waterford was made on clinical grounds and should not be changed for political reasons.
The decision was made last year after the independent Herity report commissioned by the Department of Health said it was not merited although existing services should be expanded.
Politicans from all parties are today calling on the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure a full service is in place in Waterford.
Minister Harris says he will always follow clinical advice on health facilities ,"I commissioned an independent clinical review, in relation to the cath lab situation in Waterford. I followed the recommendations in full, in terms of the allocation of additional resources, and I'm now putting in place a mobile cath lab."
He added that, "as Minister I will always stand by clinical recommendations. I am open though after the improvements that Professor Herity has made, of taking course to have a further review on the issue."
