South East Chambers of Commerce would like to highlight their concern regarding the provision of emergency cardiac services for members, citizens and those choosing to visit or set up home in the South East region.

Without making specific commentary regarding individual areas within the South East region, the united Chambers are cognisant that the South East region is the only region where a 24/7 cardiac interventional service is not available to citizens.

Given recent events and taking into account the geography of the region and transit times to centres in Dublin or Cork, South East Chambers believe that extending the additional South East regional service at University Hospital Waterford to provide a 24/7 Cardiac Care service is now called for. This would place service options available to South East region citizens on a par with all other regions and this would demonstrate both equity in access and provide support to our existing regional health services in a region still trying to recover from recession.

South East Chambers also understand the economic case is well made to retain and enhance services in the region and believe that this offers further support to extending the service. South East Chambers are committed to fair and balanced representation of all member concerns as well as the needs of all regional citizens.

According to Gerald Hurley, Waterford Chamber CEO, “We believe the time has now come for this regional health policy to be reviewed again and for the requisite services to be properly resourced and provided to ensure fair and equal health access for all citizens of the region.

“24/7 Cardiac Care is a critical issue for all across the South East but it goes further than that. In terms of business and the economy it too plays a vital role. A reputation for poor health care in the region can have negative effects in terms of tourism, population growth and corporate investment. The campaign must and will continue for the future of the region.”