Over 2,000 people have taken part in a protest in Waterford city this afternoon over the lack of 24/7 cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford.

Last night, the South-Southwest Hospital Group said Minister for Health Simon Harris had directed that UHW should put in place a short extension to the existing mobile cath lab contract.

A ten-week extension has been proposed.

Protesters said the extension is not enough and that a second cath lab and 24/7 cardiac care is what is required.

Thousands protest over cardiac care in Waterford pic.twitter.com/jNWzKi5lei — RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 10, 2018

The catheterisation lab was brought in from England in September to help reduce waiting times for certain heart procedures.

The hospital caters for much of the southeast.

The mobile lab initiative, which is due to end on 14 February, was organised to supplement the work being done at the permanent cath lab inside the hospital.

Minister of State John Halligan, who is an independent TD for Waterford, took part in the protest as did Fianna Fáil TD Mary Butler.