Editorial: We must all remain vocal in demand for 24/7 cardiac care for Waterford
TD Mary Butler and Micheál Martin campaigning in February 2016 at UHW. Photo: Joe Evans.
We are now 10 years since the general election that saw Mary Butler chosen to take a seat in Dáil Éireann by the Waterford public. One of the key platforms she stood on? 24/7 cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford.
She stood with her party leader Micheál Martin outside the Waterford Model 4 hospital with a large poster declaring her intent, posing confidently for the media.
Today, the promise is still being reiterated, but it has yet to be fulfilled.
The excuse now is that staffing takes time. But how much time? We have been slow-walked along this road for the past year since Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, declared that she supported the provision of 24/7 cardiac care at UHW.
This followed the publication in April 2025 of the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services in Ireland.
The Review, chaired by Professor Philip Nolan, and supported by an expert and patient representative steering group, undertook an evidence-based comprehensive national review of scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults. The purpose of the review was to examine how to optimise access to quality cardiac services and care, with a focus on improving cardiovascular mortality through cardiovascular disease prevention.
In line with the evidence-based approach of the review, the Minister for Health said she would ask the HSE to expand the provision of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute heart attacks at University Hospital Waterford to a 24/7 service, in order to meet the needs of the regional population of this area.
Minister of State at the Department of Health, Mary Butler, continues to address the matter with the media, but it is more of the same, repeating the rather tired line about difficulties around staffing provision.
“I have engaged constructively and continuously with UHW management, the Department of Health, and Minister Carroll MacNeill regarding the additional staff required to facilitate a 24/7 cardiac service," Minister Butler said just last week.
"It remains the ambition of all stakeholders to ensure the service is operational at the earliest possible opportunity. Some posts have been filled with more to follow because of backfilling."
Backfilling appears to be the crux of the matter - and the regularly trotted out excuse as to why we continue to wait.
The Southeast Cardiac Care Campaign group have been keeping the matter in the public eye, informing locals from their stand at John Roberts Square on Thursday last that Waterford continues to wait.
They emphasize that many Waterford people don't realise that during the night and at weekends we remain without this crucial service, as government party politicians locally made such a jubilant fanfare about an 8am to 8pm service being established on weekdays.
The drum they continue to bang is a crucial one for Waterford, and one we all need to be vocal on.
The road to a dedicated community theatre space in Tramore has been a long one, but it finally looks like the proactive approach taken by a number of the town's residents will pay off.
Waterford City and County Council Senior Executives are now involved in driving the project, alongside Tramore Area Community Theatre group founders James Power and Garrett Wyse.
It has been two years of perseverance by the latter two men, who have a determined vision for theatre and culture in the seaside town.
