House Republican Press Release

December 4, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Hetherington: Efforts Continue To Bring Emergency Angioplasty to Norwalk Hospital

HARTFORD – State Representative John Hetherington, R-New Canaan and Wilton, today testified on behalf of his constituents for the approval of the Certificate of Need ("CON") application setting forth a request by Norwalk Hospital and St. Vincent's Medical Center to establish an emergency angioplasty service at Norwalk Hospital. The testimony was offered at a hearing conducted by the Office of Health Care Access. The CON does not include elective angioplasty or open heart surgery.

As Rep. Hetherington mentioned in his testimony, "Norwalk Hospital is the primary resource for emergency care in the New Canaan and Wilton communities that I represent.  Indeed, in the past several years, three members of my immediate family have relied on Norwalk Hospital for emergency care; so I speak from personal experience."

"This is a very serious public health issue," said Rep. Hetherington, a member of the legislature's Public Health Committee, "Recognizing the critical time factor in obtaining emergency angioplasty where it is appropriate, availability of the procedure at Norwalk Hospital becomes essential for New Canaan and Wilton.  Given the traffic congestion on east west highways in Fairfield County, transportation of patients presents life-threatening delays."

Rep. Hetherington represents most of New Canaan and a part of Wilton.