Petition launched for South East cath lab

SINN FEIN Councillors and party activists gathered in Wexford, Gorey, New Ross and Enniscorthy last Saturday to launch a public petition demanding a full-time cath lab service for the South East.

Referring to the recent death of Waterford man Thomas Power, Councillors Anthony Kelly and Mick Roche said at least one life had already been lost as a result of the absence of a 24/7 service for the region.

The Waterford Hospital cath lab where cardiac tests and procedures are carried out, operates from 9 am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Forty year old Mr. Power suffered a heart attack over a weekend and died in an ambulance en route to Cork University Hospital.

‘We will count in human lives the cost of the Government decision to close the cardiac service in Waterford Hospital at the weekends’, said Cllr. Roche. ‘Already one man has died in an ambulance on his way from Waterford to Cork for emergency cardiac care. It is pure insanity to suggest that leaving the situation as it stands, is safe and will not endanger more lives.’

‘More deaths will occur unless this service is restored’, he warned.

he said Sinn Fein has organised the petition to give the people of County Wexford a chance to make their voices heard on the issue and to put pressure on the Government to step down and do the right thing.

‘We received overwhelming support across the four towns and it is clear that this issue is at the forefront of Wexford people’s minds,’ he added.

Cllr. Kelly said Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane is pushing the campaign in Waterford but added: ‘Waterford cannot do this by themselves and it’s time that the other counties of the South East realised that the availability of this service is critical to us all. We have a moral responsibility to fight for its full restoration.’

Cllr. Kelly said Sinn Fein will not rest until a 24/7 cardiac service is revived in the region. ‘I would call upon the people of Wexford to support this vital campaign.’

The South East is the only region in the country that does not have 24-hour cardiac catheterisation laboratory facilities. A second mobile lab has been promised by the Government as an interim solution.