Sinn Féin TD for Waterford and spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane, has called on the Minister for Health to grant funding to University Hospital Waterford for a new PET scanning machine. PET scans are needed to diagnose conditions such as cancer, brain disorders, or heart disease.

Deputy Cullinane raised the need for a PET scanner for Waterford with the Government in the Dáil this week. Deputy Cullinane pointed out that, despite being a major regional hospital, UHW is dependent on outsourcing to deliver essential scans for often very sick people.

Deputy Cullinane said:

“It is unacceptable that University Hospital Waterford, a major regional hospital, does not have a reliable PET scanning machine.

“People in Waterford and the South East should not have to travel to Cork or Dublin to get essential scans for conditions such as cancer, brain disorders, or heart disease.

“Waterford Hospital is dependent on outsourcing to UPMC for PET scans”.

However, WLR has learned this morning (May 17th) that UPMC has invested in a new PET machine. The new state-of-the-art machine will be arriving at the facility on May 23rd, and the service will be reinstated within five to six weeks.

UPMC has been providing the service since 2006, however, the machine has come to the end of its life according to a spokesperson from the hospital.

Deputy Cullinane continued, “The result is that people, often very sick people, are travelling long distances to Cork and Dublin to get scans which should be available in Waterford.

“I spoke to one person this morning who has been diagnosed with very advanced cancer, and they had to travel to Cork in great discomfort for a scan which should have been done much closer to home.

“The Minister for Health must grant funding for a PET scanner at UHW to deliver scans closer to home, and to reduce outsourcing to the private sector for essential public healthcare.”

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