The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, and the Minister for Mental Health and Government Chief Whip, Mary Butler TD, have today announced the commencement of 24-hour, 7-day-a-week cardiac care services at University Hospital Waterford (UHW).

The development marks a significant milestone in the delivery of specialist healthcare services for the people of Waterford and the wider Southeast region. From today, patients presenting with serious cardiac emergencies requiring urgent specialist intervention will have access to round-the-clock cardiac care at UHW.

The new service will ensure faster access to life-saving treatment, reduce travel times for patients and families, and strengthen the capacity of the health service to deliver timely, high-quality cardiac care across the region.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said:

“Today represents a major step forward for healthcare provision in the Southeast. The commencement of 24/7 cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford will improve access to critical services and ensure that patients experiencing cardiac emergencies can receive specialist treatment closer to home.

“This development reflects this government’s commitment to investing in and delivering regional health services so that people can access the right care, in the right place, at the right time. I am so grateful for the hard work and dedication of our clinical teams, hospital management, the HSE and of my Government colleagues Ministers Butler and John Cummins in bringing this important service enhancement to fruition.”

Waterford TD, Government Chief Whip and Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler said:

“This is a very significant day for patients, families and healthcare staff across Waterford and the wider Southeast. For many years, local communities and healthcare professionals have advocated for enhanced cardiac services in the region, and today’s development is a testament to the determination and commitment of all involved.

“Having 24/7 cardiac care available at University Hospital Waterford will provide reassurance to people across the region that specialist treatment is available when it is needed most. It will improve patient outcomes, support faster intervention in critical cases and further strengthen University Hospital Waterford’s role as the regional hospital for the Southeast.

“I want to pay tribute to successive Ministers for Health who worked with me to ensure the development of 24/7 services at UHW remained on the agenda. In particular I want to thank Minister Carroll MacNeill for allocating funding in both 2025 and 2026 for recruitment of additional staff to ensure the last vital step, to move the service from 8-8 every day, to the final 24-hour coverage, every day of the year.”