Funding: University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) will be able to carry out major heart surgery in 2006 after years of campaigning, following a commitment from Minister for Health Mary Harney.
Croí, the West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation, has welcomed the financial commitment from Ms Harney to fund the commissioning of the cardiothoracic surgical unit at the west's specialist cardiac centre at UCHG. The Tánaiste prioritised a sum of €60 million nationally for 2006 for the continued commissioning of a number of new units in acute hospitals, including the new unit at UCHG.
Croí chairman, Raymond J Rooney welcomed the move, saying: "Heart patients from throughout the west will no longer have to travel long distances for surgery and the availability of cardiothoracic surgery at UCHG will further strengthen the hospital as the supraregional centre for the western seaboard," he said.
Research and medical director of Croí, consultant cardiologist, Dr Kieran Daly confirmed that the capital programme for the provision of a cardiac surgical unit at the hospital was now complete.
"The unit is urgently needed to provide cardiac bypass surgery, thoracic surgery, surgical support for the regional cancer centre, surgical support for the supraregional cardiology department and cardiothoracic support for a level one trauma centre," he said.
"Cardiac surgical theatres and wards, as well as the Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit, have been provided for as part of the Phase II development at UCHG."
