Patients across the South East are set to benefit from a major healthcare upgrade as the cardiac service at University Hospital Waterford moves to full 24/7 operation. The Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed that from 6 July 2026, the hospital’s specialist emergency heart care and primary PCI service will now run around the clock, every day of the year.
This development marks a significant milestone for regional acute care, improving access to life-saving treatment for people in Waterford and surrounding counties. It also reflects a wider commitment across gov.ie and the Health system to strengthen regional hospital capacity and reduce the need for patients to travel to Dublin or Cork for urgent cardiac intervention.
24/7 cardiac service now live at University Hospital Waterford
The upgraded cardiac service at University Hospital Waterford builds on work already underway since March 2025, when the hospital began operating a seven-day, 8am to 8pm on-call primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention service. With the latest expansion, emergency cardiac care is now available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Primary PCI, also known as coronary angioplasty, is a minimally invasive procedure used to open blocked heart arteries during or after a heart attack. Rapid access to this treatment can dramatically improve survival and long-term recovery.
- Round-the-clock specialist heart attack treatment now available
- Both cardiac catheterisation labs will be used to support the service
- Patients in the HSE Dublin and South East region will benefit
- Fewer emergency transfers to hospitals in Cork and Dublin are expected
Investment, staffing and regional impact
The expanded cardiac service follows a major hospital development project that included a two-storey extension. The work delivered a second cath lab, a preparation and recovery area, diagnostic facilities and supporting accommodation. A recruitment programme for 10 additional specialist whole-time equivalent posts has also supported the rollout.
According to the HSE and hospital leadership, the expanded model should allow around 70 patients each year to receive care locally instead of being transferred elsewhere. That is expected to improve patient comfort, speed up intervention and reduce pressure on ambulance and inter-hospital transfer systems, including services linked to the National Transport Authority (NTA) and emergency response coordination involving An Garda Síochána where road transfer support may be required.
Why faster heart attack treatment matters
Clinical experts say speed is critical during a heart attack. If a patient can be brought directly to a cardiac catheterisation lab within 120 minutes of diagnosis, the risk of death can be nearly halved. With University Hospital Waterford joining the country’s regional PCI centres, access times across the South East are expected to improve significantly.
The announcement has been welcomed by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, hospital executives and cardiology specialists, all of whom described the move as a landmark moment for the region. The expansion also aligns with ongoing national priorities in Health, Public Expenditure, and Social Protection by improving equitable access to urgent care closer to home.
What the expansion means for patients
- Better local access to emergency cardiac intervention
- Reduced travel times for critically ill patients
- Potentially lower mortality in acute heart attack cases
- More resilient hospital services in the South East
Explore more: breaking Irish public health news, HSE service expansion and hospital care developments
FAQs on the new cardiac service
What is primary PCI?
Primary PCI is an emergency procedure used to reopen a blocked coronary artery during a heart attack, restoring blood flow to the heart muscle.
Who will benefit from the 24/7 cardiac service?
Patients in Waterford and across neighbouring parts of the South East covered by the HSE Dublin and South East region are expected to benefit most.
Why is this important?
Timely cardiac intervention can save lives, reduce complications and help patients recover closer to home.
Conclusion
The new cardiac service at University Hospital Waterford is more than a hospital upgrade; it is a major step forward in regional emergency healthcare. For patients and families across the South East, this 24/7 cardiac service means faster treatment, fewer transfers and improved outcomes when every minute matters.
Article/Image Courtesy: HSE
