Mater Private Network has appointed interventional cardiologist Dr Simon Walsh as Director of the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Mater Private Cork, strengthening the hospital's cardiovascular care offering for patients across Cork and the wider Munster region.

Dr Walsh will direct the hospital's Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention service, expanding regional access to specialist treatment for advanced coronary artery disease.

"Our service specialises in treating patients who have previously been told that nothing can be done," said Dr Walsh. "I'm a firm believer that every patient deserves to know that every reasonable option has been explored. Many of these procedures are performed by two consultant interventional cardiologists working alongside a multidisciplinary team in real time, bringing together the expertise needed to treat some of the most complex cases."

Dr Walsh trained in medicine at Queen's University Belfast and completed advanced interventional fellowships in Vancouver, before spending 17 years as a consultant cardiologist at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, where he helped build one of the UK's leading complex PCI centres. He is also a recognised educator, teaching advanced coronary intervention techniques to cardiologists across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

"I'm delighted to welcome Dr Walsh to our team as it represents a significant milestone for our cardiac service in Cork," said Sandra Daly, chief executive of Mater Private Cork. "His clinical leadership, international experience and commitment to innovation further strengthen our multidisciplinary Heart and Vascular service."

The structural driver behind the appointment is the ongoing consolidation of subspecialty cardiac expertise outside Dublin, allowing patients in the south of Ireland to access complex intervention closer to home rather than travelling for treatment. Dr Walsh will also contribute to the Cardiovascular Research Institute, a joint initiative between Mater Private Network and RCSI, giving Munster patients access to emerging cardiac therapies and devices.

For the sector, the appointment underlines how private hospital groups are competing on named clinical talent to anchor regional specialist services.

Source: thecork.ie