John Halligan ‘must examine conscience’ in lab row

Patient advocacy campaigners in the South-East have said junior minister John Halligan must examine his conscience about whether a mobile special cardiac treatment lab for Waterford is enough to prevent his resignation.

Mr Halligan has threatened to quit government unless cardiac services improve at his local hospital. A mobile lab, he believes, will force health chiefs to eventually fund a second full-time lab there.

But the South East Patient Advocacy Group describe the compromise as a “fudge” and warn that thousands will take to Waterford streets next week in protest at the lack of cardiac services.