Cabinet approval paves way for development of 24/7 cardiac services at Waterford hospital
One of the many rallies held in Waterford over the past decade calling for 24/7 cardiac care for the South East. Photo: Joe Evans
Government Chief Whip & Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler T.D, has confirmed that Cabinet approval has been given for University Hospital Waterford (UHW) to be upgraded to provide 24/7 cardiac care services. This is a major milestone in ensuring equitable access to life-saving treatments for patients in the South East.
€611k in funding is being made available in 2025 for recruitment of additional staff to commence the further expansion of cardiac services at UHW. The Waterford Minister also welcomed the findings from the Irish Heart Attack Audit, which supports the expansion of the service at UHW in order to meet the needs of the regional population.
The announcement on Tuesday, April 8, follows sustained efforts by public representatives and local community activists to address the critical need for expanded cardiac care in the region. Minister Butler hailed the decision as a transformative development for UHW and the surrounding community.
She Butler said: “This is a significant and long-awaited step for the people of Waterford and the entire southeast. The development of 24/7 cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford will provide certainty for families and ensure that people in this region have access to the highest standards of emergency cardiac care, no matter the time of day.
“I warmly welcome the confirmation today from Minister Carroll MacNeill that funding of €611k will be made available in 2025 to begin phasing in the extra staff and other resources to move from the current 12/7 service to a full 24/7 service.
“We now have a clear pathway to delivering full 24/7 cardiac services in Waterford, long fought for by many of us, and the Irish Heart Attack Audit and National Review of Cardiac Services supports this.”
The details of the upgrades will include:
• Continued investment in the two Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory Services at UHW to ensure they can meet the demands of a 24/7 service.
• Recruitment of further specialist staff, including additional cardiology consultants, nursing staff, and support teams.
• Continued investment in state-of-the-art cardiac equipment and critical care capacity to support emergency interventions around the clock.
Minister Butler said the announcement aligned with the Government’s commitment to delivering regional equity in healthcare services under Sláintecare, ensuring that no community is left behind when it comes to access to essential care.
Minister Butler added: “We all know that patients in the South East have had to travel to Dublin or Cork to access emergency cardiac care outside of normal hours. This has placed an unacceptable burden on families and our healthcare providers.
"The development of 24/7 cardiac services at UHW will close this gap and deliver a more equitable health system for everyone.
“I want to thank everyone who has championed this cause, from the healthcare staff on the frontline to the community groups who have campaigned passionately for better services. This is a victory for all of us, and I am proud to be part of delivering this critical investment for Waterford and the South East.”
