The HSE is being asked to publish figures relating to heart attack deaths in a number of small hospitals, following the revelation that heart attack patients are more than twice as likely to die in small hospitals.

According to the Sunday Business Post, the death rate at six smaller units is almost double the national average.

The combined death rate at Roscommon County Hospital, Bantry General and South Infirmary Victoria in Cork, Ennis Hospital, St John's in Limerick and St Michael's in Dublin was 12.2 percent, while the national average was 6.68 per cent

However the Department of Health says it doesn't use small numbers as an indicator as they may be unreliable.

Independent TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim Denis Naughten says the HSE should release the figures: