Heart of the matter: Tender for second cath lab at regional hospital goes out this week

The long-awaited second cath lab at our regional hospital will go to tender this week. And construction will get underway on the much-needed facility at University Hospital Waterford (UHC) by early 2021, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed.

Mr Martin gave the assurances after Waterford Independent TD Matt Shanahan (pictured below) called for a review of funding for all model-4 hospitals in Ireland, of which UHW is one.

The Taoiseach said the build should take 12 months, with the new lab ready by early 2022. He said the provision of the lab had been delayed by the pandemic.

He told the Dáil last week: “The preferred option is a second Cath Lab and associated 12-bed day ward, which would deliver six additional beds on the roof of the existing Cardiology Department.”