South East cardiac services review
David Cullinane seeks a timeline for the national review connected to the south-east cardiac services report, which recommended ending emergency services there. The Taoiseach says he cannot give a date now but will find out.
The Taoiseach will know that the programme for Government committed to the establishment of an independent review of cardiac services in the south east. Dr. Niall Herity was appointed to do that work. He did that work and reported on it. Astonishingly, he recommended that all emergency cardiac services in the south east would cease. The Minister for Health has said he will not implement that recommendation subject to a national review. I have put down several parliamentary questions to him. I have contacted the Minister several times. He is still not in a position to tell us when the national review will take place, who will do it, whether it will be independent, if it will be a departmental review and what will be its terms of reference. The Taoiseach knows it is a very difficult, emotional issue for people in the south east, which is the only region that does not have full 24-7 cardiology services. Can the Taoiseach tell me when the review will take place, who will carry it out and when its work will be completed?
