Concern expressed over delay in promised health projects for Waterford and South East

Concern and frustration has been expressed in Waterford over delays in the delivery of promised health projects.

Sinn Féin TD, Deputy David Cullinane, said people in Waterford and across the region need delivery, not delay, on a series of long-promised health capital projects.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Cullinane raised the urgent need for clarity from the Minister for Health on the costings, timelines and delivery dates for new outpatient mental health capacity and new mental health beds for University Hospital Waterford and the wider region.

“I raised these issues in the Dáil because people in Waterford and across the south east are entitled to straight answers on when these projects will actually be delivered and what they will cost," he said.

"For years now, Ministers and the HSE have announced plans for additional capacity at University Hospital Waterford and for new mental health infrastructure in the south east," he added.

"But announcements are one thing; delivery is another."

He said the 2024 HSE Capital Plan included a commitment for a proposed two-floor vertical extension over the existing Outpatient Department (at UHW) to provide 36 additional consulting rooms, four treatment rooms, four measurement rooms and two virtual consultation rooms.

“The 2025 Capital Plan then included the replacement of the existing 44-bed adult mental health unit at University Hospital Waterford, with a new 50-bed single-room unit," said Deputy Cullinane.

"A 96 Bed unit was also promised and yet we have no timeline for delivery," he added.

He said they were "badly needed" projects and were not optional extras, commenting: "They are essential to improving patient care, reducing pressure on services and ensuring that people can access treatment in a timely and dignified way."

"The 2025 plan also referred to a number of other major developments for Waterford and the south east, including the development of audiology services and a new orthodontic development at St Otteran’s, an additional 96-bed ward block over five storeys, a multi-storey car park, an extension to the existing laboratory, and the new St Otteran’s Children’s Therapy site at St John’s Hill," he said.

“The issue now is simple: when will these projects be delivered, what are the final costings, and where is the clear timeline for construction and completion?"

He said patients, families and frontline staff have heard repeated announcements but what's now needed is certainty.

"They need to know when work will begin, when these facilities will open, and whether the government is fully committed to funding and delivering them," said the Sinn Féin TD.

“The south east has been underserved for far too long," he said.

"University Hospital Waterford is under sustained pressure and staff are doing their best in a system that is stretched," he added.

Deputy Cullinane went on to say the expansion of outpatient capacity, increase in bed capacity and delivery of modern mental health facilities are all crucial to address pressure on the hospital.

“I am calling on the Minister for Health to set out, in full, the current status of each of these projects, the up-to-date costings attached to them, and the timeframe for delivery," said Deputy Cullinane.

"The people of Waterford and the wider south east deserve transparency, and above all they deserve action," he added. “There can be no more vague commitments or recycled announcements. The government must now move from promise to delivery.”