Editorial: Our Model 4 hospital's long game of catch up

University Hospital Waterford (UHW) endures a relentless fight for services in order to be on a par with other Model 4 hospitals across the country, such as in our sister regional cities of Limerick, Cork and Galway.

This week some progress was made as construction finally commenced on the long-awaited pathology laboratory at the hospital. 

The Waterford News & Star has highlighted many times the challenges of delay faced by UHW to progress crucial projects, such as the pathology laboratory.

The 'path lab' was granted permission in 2022 but languished in the waiting room throughout 2023 before finally being included on the HSE's Capital Plan for 2024. Still construction begun must be credited as progress made. 

This week, the News & Star contacted three Waterford TDs for information regarding the pathology lab and various other projects, which have been in the pipeline for a considerable length of time now.

Minister of State in the Department of Health, Mary Butler, Fianna Fáil, of all the TD's, faces the most scrutiny in this regard, given her role in the Department and her proximity, therefore, to her party colleague, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.

With a general election looming, it is in Minister Butler's interests that much-needed projects at UHW cross the finish line - not just the appraisal line, or the design line. Construction really is the only game in town, everything else is just carrots dangling.

But as we enter the final straits of this government, perhaps Minister Butler is not too late in hoping her chickens will come home to roost.

Last week she confirmed that recruitment was now underway for additional staff to facilitate an expansion of cardiac services at the hospital to bring the service up to 8am to 8pm seven days a week. It is still a considerable way from the 24/7 Waterford and the South East's population has long campaigned for but it does send a positive ripple Minister Butler's way. Again, the finish line we are told for an 8am-8pm operational service is October. We will watch this space.

The large-scale surgical hub at Maypark Lane, which is currently at tender, could move quite quickly, which would be a major boon for Minister Butler. 

The 98 acute beds she announced in May 2024 sound fantastic but are less likely to materialise before the general election... which makes them far from a sure thing as the machinations of politics have long taught us.

Other projects remain less optimistic concepts - a much-needed extension to the outpatients' department is at "appraisal". It has a far road to travel to construction. The same goes for the Adult Acute Mental Health Unit, while a hub for children at St Otteran's has been listed on HSE capital plans since 2014. It is yet to go to planning.

In 2023 no UHW acute project made its way onto the HSE Capital Plan's construction list for that year. 

Our Model 4 hospital is making some steps forward, but there is a long game of catch up to play yet.