More heart help on the way with second cardiac catheter lab for Cairns

The Cairns Hospital will be able to see up to 1400 extra cardiac patients by this time next year thanks to a second $2.8 million dollar cardiac catheterisation laboratory.                      

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the State Government has matched the $1.4 million dollars raised through the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation for the project.

“Demand for cardiac services in the far north is ever-increasing due to a growing and ageing population,” Mr Miles said.

“The $2.8 million dollars will fund the fit out, construction and the latest equipment for the new cardiac catheterisation lab.

“This commitment will significantly expand the Cairns Hospital’s ability to respond to increasing demand for this service and provide the highest quality patient care.”

“The second cardiac catheter lab will be adjacent to the Cardiac Unit and Cardiac Investigations Unit in Block D creating an integrated cardiac service all on one level.”

Minister Miles today visited the Cairns Hospital for the first time in his new role, touring the existing cardiac catheterisation lab.

Cairns Hospital’s Clinical Director of Cardiology Dr Greg Starmer said as well as increasing capacity, the range of cardiac services will also be expanded once the facility is completed.

“Currently, people who need Electrophysiological services (EPS) need to travel outside the Cairns region, usually to Townsville but it will become available in the new cardiac catheterisation lab, meaning more far north Queensland patients can be treated closer to home,” Dr Starmer said.

“This expansion represents a major advancement in the delivery of comprehensive, high quality cardiac services to the far north region.”

The second cardiac catheterisation laboratory is due to open late in 2018.

ENDS

Media enquiries: Katharine Wright - 0422 580 342

Background

• The Cardiac Catheter Laboratory is used primarily for the diagnosis of coronary heart disease and treatments such as angioplasty, angiography and pacemaker insertions for people.  
• Coronary angioplasty is an interventional cardiology technique for the treatment of heart disease that involves opening up narrowed or blocked coronary arteries with a balloon and inserting a coil stent to ensure they remain open.
• Electrophysiological services are performed in patients with rhythm disturbances of their hearts. The purpose of this procedure is to study the electrical function of the heart to determine susceptibility to very fast or very slow rhythms which may need specific treatment.