Sinn Féin TDs David Cullinane and Conor McGuinness have welcomed the commencement of 24/7 emergency cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford, describing it as a landmark day for patients across the South East and a victory for years of determined public campaigning.
Deputy David Cullinane said:
“This is a landmark day for Waterford and the South East. From Monday, patients suffering a major cardiac event will have access to the life-saving care they should have had years ago.
“This service did not happen by accident. It is the result of a campaign that was fought over many years by patients, families, clinicians, trade unions, community groups and thousands of people across the region. It was fought on the streets, in council chambers and in the Dáil.
“Conor and I were proud to stand with that campaign at every opportunity, but today’s achievement belongs to everyone who refused to accept second-class healthcare for the South East.
“Today is a day to celebrate, but it is also an indictment of successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments that our region had to fight for so long to secure a service that should have been in place years ago.”
Deputy Conor McGuinness added:
“This was not handed to our region. It was won.”
“It was won because people refused to accept less than they deserved. It was won because campaigners kept going when governments delayed, deferred and looked the other way. And it was won because pressure never let up—on the streets, in council chambers and in the Dáil.
“This is a victory for people power. Every person who marched, signed a petition, attended a public meeting, shared their story or raised their voice played a part in making today possible.
“I also want to thank the consultants, nurses, radiographers, paramedics and all of the staff who will now deliver this service. They will save lives, and they deserve enormous credit as this new chapter begins.
“We celebrate today, but we should also remember this: the people of the South East should never again have to campaign for years to secure healthcare that people elsewhere rightly expect as standard.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 