North west cath lab closure
Deputy Kenny said the mobile cardiac service in Sligo is being withdrawn and that the north west will be left without cardiac services. The Minister again said he would ask the Health Minister to respond urgently to the latest developments.
On the same issue, during the week Deputy Harkin and I had a Topical Issue matter on the issue of a cath lab for Sligo. I know all of the Deputies in the constituency are extremely annoyed and frustrated with this situation. A private company, InHealth, was providing a two days a week mobile service, but that will be withdrawn as of tomorrow. The whole people of the north west will have no cardiac service in the region, which is a disgrace. We also have a copy of this review from Professor Philip Nolan, with the map showing where Sligo and Donegal are but with everything heading towards Galway. It simply is not possible for people in the north west who have a heart attack or a serious problem to access a service that is only in Galway or Dublin. It is unacceptable and that point needs to be clearly made to the Minister for Health. The Deputies from the area wrote to the Minister for Health seeking a meeting about this and we have not had a response yet.
Comment on this
As I said to Deputy MacSharry, I appreciate the importance of this issue. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to respond as a matter of urgency, given the latest developments on this issue.