For 128 of the 168 hours in every week, University Hospital Waterford (UHW) is not in a position to offer high-level cardiac treatment to people living in the southeast. This takes in an area that includes Waterford, south Wexford, Kilkenny and south Tipperary, and a population of at least 175,000 people. However, this population figure is hotly disputed by campaigners who say that up to 500,000 people could be covered if UHW had a proper cardiac service. It is an issue that has been highlighted and campaigned over for several years and while gains have been made, they’ve done little to satisfy the concerns of campaigners and people living in the region.

The tragic and untimely death of Thomas Power (38) has brought the issue back into the spotlight. Speaking to people attending a vigil for the popular Dunmore farmer outside UHW, it’s clear his death has created an atmosphere of both fear and anger. People want 24/7 cardiac care services and they and his family are convinced the lack of similar services to those available in Limerick and Cork cost Thomas Power his life.

Review changed treatment plan

Last year, campaigners were confident that the 24/7 service would be established but their hopes were scuppered following a review by Dr Niall Herity. He recommended that heart attack patients should be treated in high volume regional centres staffed by highly trained and experienced personnel. He also said that ideally people should live within 90 minutes of such a centre. And this is the crux of the issue for people in the southeast, who say they could not get to University Hospital Cork or any Dublin hospital in 90 minutes. Dr Herity’s review argued they could make Cork from Waterford in an average of 88 minutes – two minutes to spare. Transport by air is not an option as neither UHW of UHC has a helipad on their grounds.

Emergencies sent to Cork or Dublin

Dr Herity recommended that a single catheterisation lab should concentrate on getting through the backlog of planned cardiac work with emergency cases sent to Cork or Dublin. Two cath labs are required if the region is to have 24/7 emergency cover and Dr Herity rejected this option. As it stands, some of the backlog is being treated in Cork while a tender that’s out for a mobile part-time cath lab for UHW should also address the backlog.

However, speaking to people taking part in the vigil on Friday evening, it’s clear they are both angry and afraid. Angry that at least 175,000 people are left without high level cardiac care services for 128 hours every week. And afraid that what happened to Thomas Power could happen to themselves or people they know.

Are they expected to take their chances with the traffic? Or as one man said, get out the satnav to see if it’s faster to get to Dublin or Cork? CL

Ellen Murphy bought a house in Waterford 18 months ago. “I had no idea about the situation with the hospital and the cath scan. If I had, I would never have bought the house. The service we have is totally inadequate. It’s really a death sentence.”

The whole thing is disgraceful, said Jenni Ledwell, who has lived in the city all her life. She is angry that politicians aren’t listening to the concerns of people in the region. “The politicians will never have to go through what poor Thomas Power faced in his last hour. It took his death to bring everyone’s concerns to the fore again. We are the only region in the country without a 24/7 cardiac care unit. I tell you, come 5pm on Friday evenings, there’s genuine fear here.”

Joyce & Anthony O’Keeffe live in Butlerstown and they say the situation is on people’s minds all the time. “It would take us 15 minutes to get into Ardkeen and that would be in bad traffic. Getting to Cork takes at least two hours. There’s no short way – you have to get through Killeagh and Castlematyr,” said Joyce.

“You can’t schedule a heart attack to take place between 9 and 5. When I hear an ambulance now, I just hope it’s not someone having a heart attack. At our age, it’s a big concern. The region only has a service for 40 hours a week. That leaves 128 hours with no cover. That’s wrong,” said Anthony.

Tommy & Margaret Browne come from Carrigeen, Co Kilkenny, and say they feel helpless and vulnerable about the situation. Margaret had to deal with viral meningitis a few weeks ago. “I needed a lumbar puncture and a brain scan and I was able to have them because I was in the hospital at the right time. What would have happened to me if those services weren’t there?”

Derek & Sandra Browne took part in the vigil. “Health care shouldn’t be a lottery as to the time you present at a hospital. Nor should you have to check your satnav to see whether you’d be quicker heading for Dublin or Cork. This region should have a proper service,” said Derek.