24/7 cardiac care service begins at University Hospital Waterford

A major expansion of cardiac services has officially begun at University Hospital Waterford (UHW), with emergency specialist heart care now operating on a 24-hour, 365-day basis.

Since March 2025, UHW had been providing a seven-day, 8am–8pm on-call primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) service. From Monday, 6 July 2026, that service has now been extended to full round-the-clock coverage.

The development means patients in the South East who suffer a heart attack or require emergency cardiac intervention can now receive treatment locally at any time of day or night.

The expansion follows significant investment in new facilities at the hospital, including a two-storey extension housing a second cardiac catheterisation laboratory, preparation and recovery areas, and diagnostic facilities, alongside a recruitment programme for additional specialist staff.

PCI, also known as coronary angioplasty, is a minimally invasive procedure used to open blocked coronary arteries and restore blood flow to the heart muscle, helping to reduce damage during or after a heart attack.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said the expansion marks a major milestone for patients across the region, describing it as a key improvement in access to emergency cardiac care in the South East.

Consultant Cardiologist at UHW, Mr Patrick O’Callaghan, said the hospital has been working for some time towards delivering a full 24/7 service and that the development represents a significant step forward in providing comprehensive local cardiac care.

HSE Dublin and South East Regional Executive Officer Martina Queally said the expansion will bring reassurance to patients and families, while acknowledging the planning and preparation that has taken place over recent years.

Chief Executive of UHW Ben O’Sullivan said the milestone follows years of staged development, including the opening of the second cath lab in 2023 and the gradual expansion of PCI services, adding that the 24/7 model will allow more patients to be treated locally without the need for transfer to Dublin or Cork.

Clinical Co-Lead of the National Heart Office Professor Joe Galvin said the new service will significantly reduce travel times for emergency cardiac patients in the region, improving survival outcomes in acute heart attack cases.

HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry also welcomed the development, saying it is expected to reduce mortality and improve long-term outcomes for patients experiencing cardiac emergencies in the South East.