South East’s Cath Lab to close for 12 weeks

By COLIN BARTLEY

THE ONLY permanent Cath Lab in the South East region is to close down for 12 weeks.

University Hospital Waterford’s Cath Lab will close to facilitate maintenance work and equipment upgrade.

It is believed the modular lab in UHW’s campus will be open three to five days a week while work is ongoing, and discussion are taking place with Cork University Hospital on contingency plans, including all emergency cases going to Cork.

Providing a second Cath Lab to UHW has been a bone of contention in the region for many years.

Kilkenny TD Bobby Aylward, who has been campaigning for a second permanent Cath Lab for the South East, said the news is “deeply concerning.”

“The upgrading of the single Cath Lab is necessary and has to happen, but the modular unit cannot provide full Cath Lab quality work. So there are concerns as to what is going to happen in the South East when the facility is not there.

“I’ll be asking the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, and the executive of the HSE what contingency plans will be in place while the Cath Lab is out of operation for 12 weeks.”