A Waterford TD has expressed concern on the lack of capacity for stroke patients at University Hospital Waterford.
Addressing Taoiseach Simon Harris in the Dail, Independent Deputy Matt Shanahan outlined how despite operating with just five stroke unit beds and two single rooms - UHW receives in excess of 1,000 stroke patients a year.
Deputy Shanahan called for action on the matter, again referencing the fact that University Hospital Waterford receives the least funding of any of Ireland's Model 4 hospitals.
"I have often raised the issue of University Hospital Waterford, which is the least funded of our model 4 hospitals and has the lowest ratio of healthcare practitioners to beds in such hospitals", outlined Deputy Shanahan. "I wish to discuss the stroke unit today, though. University Hospital Waterford receives more than 1,000 stroke patients every year, yet it has only five stroke unit beds and two single rooms. One in five people in our country will suffer a stroke. I ask the Taoiseach to examine this matter."
"Only 25% of our acute stroke patients get into the stroke unit at University Hospital Waterford and only 6% of transient ischaemic attack sufferers get in", Deputy Shanahan told the Dail.
"UHW is being denied the ability to deal with acute heart attacks seven days per week and, now, is being denied the ability to deal with strokes effectively. I ask the Taoiseach to resource this service properly and consider a new capital programme for stroke as well as cardiac issues at the hospital."
Speaking in response, Taoiseach Simon Harris committed to bringing the matter to the attention of the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.
"My thanks to Deputy Shanahan for raising the issues in respect of University Hospital Waterford. My understanding is that 96 additional beds have been announced in the past three years for the hospital, and rightly so. They are needed in Waterford and the wider South East."
"Specifically regarding the stroke issue the Deputy raised, I will raise it with the Minister for Health. I will also ask him to raise it with Professor Rónán Collins, who has done brilliant work as the clinical lead for our national stroke care programme, and see what progress can be made for the South East."
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