Fianna Fail has called on Health Minister Simon Harris to approve plans to develop a permanent Cath Lab at Sligo University Hospital (SUH).

TD Eamon Scanlon made the call and said it will have "serious implications" on the recruitment of an additional cardiologist for the hospital.

New correspondence received by Deputy Scanlon reveals that the HSE has set up a review group to examine the provision of Cath labs across the country, which will further delay the establishment of a Cath lab in Sligo.

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He said: "The current system, whereby a mobile unit visits the hospital once a week, is not providing the range of services that are so badly needed. Patients are forced to travel to Altnagelvin in Derry, Dublin or Galway for procedures.

"The lack of a permanent Cath lab will also create recruitment issues for the hospital. SUH is currently advertising for a second cardiologist and it will soon be seeking a replacement for a current post. If we want to attract the best candidates it’s crucial that we have a Cath lab.

"The HSE should not be standing in the way of Saolta's current plan, which proposes a fixed Cath lab in Sligo."

(CD)