Gov acceptance of review into National Cardiac Care services a win for people of Waterford – Butler

Waterford TD, Mary Butler has said that last night’s acceptance by the Minister for Health that a national review of cardiac services across the country, and in particular the South East, is needed is a major step forward in the fight for 24/7 Cardiac Care in Waterford.

“Last night, the Minister, in responding to my topical debate on the need for the review to be expedited, said that preparations would begin immediately, and would begin with an international expert being appointed to lead the review.

“Implementing 24/7 Cardiac Care at UHW must be based on medical and clinical need. I have never disputed this, but I am confident that a review of services in the South East will deliver that medical and clinical backing.

“It is imperative that the terms of reference for this review do not, in the way the Herrity Report did, set the review on a particular, preferred path. Those terms of reference were flawed, and working together we will ensure that this will not be the case again.

“Most of the Oireachtas members in Waterford, and indeed the South East, have worked together to find a solution to this challenge.

“We have worked to speed up the delivery of this review in a calm and considered way.

“The urgency of this issue cannot be underestimated, and our actions over the past week have shown, I believe, that politics and not just protest on its own can deliver results.

“There is more work to be done, but I now believe that the Government has finally started to listen to the people of Waterford.

“I want to thank the other Waterford TDs and Senators who worked on this with me. We don’t agree on a lot of issues, but I do believe that on the issue of 24/7 Cardiac Care, we are at one, and we will all continue to work together to deliver it as quickly as possible,” concluded Butler.