‘This is not over’ – 24/7 campaign group demand clarity on cardiac care implementation   

Members of the Southeast Cardiac Care Campaign said they will be ramping up their campaign until 24/7 cardiac care is officially implemented at University Hospital Waterford.

Cabinet approval was announced last month for the delivery of funding to begin the recruitment of extra staff and other resources to move from the current 12/7 service to a full 24/7 service at the hospital.

Members of the campaign group say, however, that the announcement of this detail in the media has led locals into believing that 24/7 has been not only approved, but also implemented.

The group conducted 145 interviews in the Applemarket this week, informing locals that the service is yet to be implemented and that a commencement date for the service has not officially been announced yet.

Campaigner Mick Daniels alluded to recent coverage from local media, which reported that the implementation of the service could potentially take place anywhere from this year to 18 months from now.

Mr. Daniels expressed concern that the service may not be in place for some time.

“A lot of people are under the impression that the 24/7 issue has been sorted, which it hasn't been yet," he said.

“A few people said to us this morning that they thought the issue was fixed and when we tell them the truth of the matter they’re angry and rightfully so."

The group have been conducting such interviews for a number of years, gauging the opinions of locals on the lack of 24/7 coverage in the South East.

Campaign members said this week that their efforts will be mounting in the coming months, with online content, fundraising and additional street campaigning taking place in the South East region.

“From this point on, we’re going to push this harder than the last few years,” Mr Daniels said.

The interviews conducted by the group in Waterford this week can be viewed HERE