Beaumont cardiac intervention unit unused due to staff shortage

A cardiac intervention unit opened by Minister for Health Leo Varadkar at Beaumont Hospital this month cannot be used along with the old unit because of a lack of staff.

The hospital insists the unit, which cost almost €2 million, is operational but admits it cannot be used at the same time as the existing 12-year-old unit because of “limited resources” for cardiology.

Asked how much use of the new unit was being made, the hospital told The Irish Times a breakdown on the usage rates for each unit was not yet available.

“Beaumont Hospital has submitted a request to the HSE seeking funding to increase capacity within the cardiology service,” according to a spokeswoman.

The unit is an examination room equipped with imaging technology that allows doctors diagnose and treat heart conditions using catheters instead of surgery.

Speaking at the launch earlier this month, Mr Varadkar said it was opening despite the budgetary constraints on the health service. “It is still possible to find some money to invest in modern technology and new high-quality facilities,” he said.

Construction of the facility, in addition to refurbishment of the existing unit, cost more than €2.2 million.