A cardiac patient was transported by air rescue helicopter rescue 117 from University Hospital Waterford to Cork University Hospital at around 10.30am this morning.
Rescue 117, the search and rescue helicopter of The Irish Coastguard based at Waterford Airport reported this morning that a crew was in the process of transporting a critical cardiac patient from Waterford to Cork.
Currently there is one cath lab at UHW which operates from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Calls for a a 24 hour facility were renewed by politicians and protesters last month at a protest held at the gates of Leinster house.
In June 39 year old Thomas Power from Belle Lake died en route from Waterford to Cork for cardiac treatment.
Minister Simon Harris says the decision not to set up a second cath lab in Waterford was made on clinical grounds and should not be changed for political reasons.
The decision was made last year after the independent Herity report commissioned by the Department of Health said it was not merited although existing services should be expanded.
