IT'S been a long time coming and the culmination of a campaign that was hard-fought but this morning (Monday) saw the start of 24/7 cardiac care at UHW!

Since March of last year, the hospital has been providing a seven day, 8am-8pm on-call primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and emergency cardiac care service.

However, as of this morning (Monday, July 6), this is being extended to a 24-hour basis of operation, through all 365 days of the year.

This specialist cardiac service at UHW, utilising both cardiac catheterisation laboratories in the hospital, will support the care needs of those who require it in the surrounding parts of the HSE Dublin and South East region, according to the HSE.

On 'Deise Today', to mark the big day, Damien spoke to Health Minister Jennifer Carroll-MacNeill as well as local 24/7 cardiac campaigner Willie Doyle.

You can listen back to both their interviews by clicking on the image.

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