Campaigners for better cardiac services in the southeast have strongly criticised the Government after it was confirmed that a mobile cath lab is being taken away next month.
The catheterisation lab was brought in from England in September to University Hospital Waterford to help reduce waiting times for certain heart procedures.
The hospital caters for much of the southeast.
The mobile lab initiative, which is to end on 14 February, was organised to supplement the work being done at the permanent cath lab inside the hospital.
Minister of State John Halligan said today that the opening hours at the one permanent lab will be increased by 20 per cent next month as an extra €1 million has been earmarked for this by the government.
He also said a new review of overall cardiac services will now take place and will use much of the data gathered in the second, temporary mobile cath lab.
Minister of State John Halligan said the mobile lab initiative was never meant to be a long-term alternative to a second cath lab.
He said that it had reduced waiting times dramatically and believes there are enough people using the services to warrant two labs running concurrently.
He said waiting lists for cath lab facilities are moving back up again.
He admitted there will not be 24/7 cardiac, cath lab cover - something which he said will hopefully change when the new review is complete, but he could not give a timeframe.
Mr Halligan has long campaigned for a second cath lab.
Matt Shanahan from one of the groups campaigning for 24/7 cath lab cover in Waterford said the matter effects every county in the southeast and adequate care and cover on this matter was not being offered to the people of the region.
He called on the Minister for Health and the Taoiseach to act immediately to address the matter.
