Cardiac cath labs and Sligo services
Tony McLoughlin asks for progress on the national review of cardiac catheterisation labs and urgent delivery of services for Sligo University Hospital. The Minister says the cardiac review has begun and that Sligo’s hospital extension is being delivered under the capital plan and Project Ireland 2040.
Perhaps this is a question for the Minister for Health. I refer to the lengthy departmental review as to where cardiac cath labs are to be located throughout Ireland. What is the update and progress on this review? Furthermore, the Minister, Deputy Harris, knows that we in the north west are being denied a vital public service and that the Saolta University Health Care Group has submitted a service plan to the HSE for approval. We need the service delivered to Sligo University Hospital as a matter of urgency. I refer also to a mental health unit that is to be provided at Sligo University Hospital. The Minister might comment on that also.
Comment on this
I thank Deputy McLoughlin for raising these important issues for the people of Sligo and the north west. I am delighted we have been able to deliver on a commitment to extend Sligo University Hospital under the Government's capital plan and Project Ireland 2040 and I look forward to visiting the hospital with the Deputy shortly in this regard.
The national cardiac review has commenced. I have asked Professor Philip Nolan, president of NUI Maynooth, to chair it. The review also includes a number of patient representatives picked by the Irish Heart Foundation to ensure the patient's voice is at the very heart of it. They will open a public consultation process in June, which will allow the Deputy's constituents, the people of the north west, and indeed people throughout the country, to have their say in order that we can, just as we have done in respect of cancer services and other services, build world-class cardiac services, which I have no doubt-----