Blues' Boss Fury over Cardiac Care

RECENTLY appointed Waterford United manager Roddy Collins has labelled the lack of 24/7 cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) as a ‘scandal’. The outspoken Blues boss and well-known soccer pundit spoke out after hearing of the efforts of campaigners calling for the provision of 24/7 cardiac care at UHW. “Because I have stents, I am aware of the necessity of 24/7 cardiac care,” he told The Munster Express.
“It was concerning for me to learn that the cardiac unit in Waterford shuts at 5pm on a Friday. I live in Castleknock so I know that I’m five minutes from Blanchardstown where there is great heart care, so I feel comfortable about that. Moving to Waterford, I don’t feel comfortable knowing that if I have any problems after 5pm I could be in trouble. This has been a bit of a setback for me.”
Currently, the cath lab at UHW is open Monday-Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm, a situation
Mr Collins labelled “unacceptable”.
“I don’t lose sleep over it, but it does concern me. If I had particular symptoms I would be very worried,” he said.
“The issue doesn’t really affect you until it comes to your own doorstep. I am always conscious of where I go and how far I am from a hospital. Even when I go on holiday I seek out the nearest hospital just in case.”
He also highlighted the impact which a lack of 24/7 cardiac care may have on those involved with local sports groups.
“This issue has no class distinction. People are dropping dead on football pitches now through Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. We play at around 8pm at night so what if something happens to one of our players?”
He continued: “What use is a defibrillator after 5pm if you’ve revived somebody but it’s then going to take an hour and a half to get to Cork? That’s totally unacceptable. In my opinion, this is a scandal.”
Mr Collins encouraged those involved with the campaign to obtain 24/7 cardiac care at UHW to continue their fight.
“I might have a familiar face to certain people in sporting circles, so if I can add a bit to this campaign I absolutely will,” he said.
“I would hate to be in Waterford attending somebody’s funeral because of a lack of 24/7 cardiac care.” Campaigner Willie Doyle has welcomed Mr Collins’ support.
Meanwhile, the HSE has yet to reply to a query submitted by this newspaper Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) figures revealed a 178 per cent increase in the number of people placed on trolleys at UHW in June when compared to the same month last year.
Said INMO General Secretary Liam Doran: “The level of deterioration, and the resulting compromising of patient care and excessive workloads on nursing staff contained in these figures, is truly shocking.”