By Dan Walsh
The contract for construction of a second Catheterisation Laboratory at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) awarded to local company Tom O’Brien Construction Ltd is expected to start in the first week of May and take 12 months to deliver.

The Department of Health confirmed today that the construction contractor award letter has now issued, a start date has been agreed, and HSE estates have confirmed that the contractor will be on site in the first week of May.
Waterford Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler said; “The appointment of this contractor, alongside the awarding of a contract for an equipment supplier this week, are both huge steps forward in the delivery of the second Cath Lab at UHW and is positive news for Waterford and the South East.
Mr. Gerry O’Dwyer, Group CEO, South / South West Hospital Group recently received confirmation from HSE Estates that the equipment for the second Cath Lab will be the same equipment recently installed in the newly upgraded existing Cath Lab and will have full interventional capabilities.”
Senator Malcolm Byrne stated that this will be of “enormous benefit to patients across the South East, including in Co. Wexford. We have been waiting for this for a long time!”
Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District Council described the announcement as “good news for south Wexford.”