FLAGSHIP HOSPITAL CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF CARDIAC SURGERY

7 May 2008

Over 5,000 Queensland lives have potentially been saved at the Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Cardiac Surgery Unit since it opened its doors 10 years ago, Health Minister Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson said the unit – the second largest in the country – celebrates a decade of life saving treatment this month, beginning in National Heart Week from 4-10 May.

“The unit has seen significant growth since it first opened in May 1998, given the increase in demand from people requiring cardiac surgery,” he said.

“In fact the number of operations performed each week has doubled since the unit opened.

“Now 20 patients each week, or 900 cases each year, receive elective operations five days a week, plus emergency cardiac surgery seven days a week.

“We’ve tripled the number of staff working in the unit from 14 to 46, including six surgeons.

“We’ve also increased the number of beds in the ward from 10 to 28 to take in both thoracic surgery and cardiac surgery patients.

“Ten years ago the unit took in one graduate nurse, now it accepts eight to ten graduates each year.”

Director of Cardiac Surgery Dr Julie Mundy said she had witnessed a significant growth in demand since the unit first opened.

“In 2004 we opened a second operating theatre to take cardiac surgery patients as part of a planned expansion of surgical services,” she said.

“We now also have a third theatre for thoracic surgery.

“Significantly, surgeons from the unit also provide outreach clinics to both Cairns and the Gold Coast

“I’m proud to have been part of the team over the last 10 years and I’d like to thank my highly skilled colleagues for managing the increasing demand on the unit with ease.”

Former metal worker John Chalkley has witnessed first hand the growth of the cardiac surgery unit.

Mr Chalkley, 68, received treatment at the unit in 1999 after suffering a heart attack and has worked as a volunteer in the cardiac surgery unit ever since.

“At first all I felt was a pain in my shoulder – I ended up needing triple bypass heart surgery,” he said.

“That was it – life was too short so I gave up on work immediately and ever since then I’ve been part of the cardiac surgery team, working with clinical staff and cheering up the patients.

“The staff here are not only professional but also friendly and welcoming and I love being part of this important team.”

Princess Alexandra Hospital’s cardiac surgery service will hold a ball in honour of its tenth anniversary in Brisbane later in the month.

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death in Australia, accounting for around 45,000 deaths in 2006 and affecting 3.5 million Australians in 2004-05.

MEDIA:

To interview Dr Mundy, John Chalkley or nursing staff please call PAH media department:

AARON CAMERON 3240 5701 OR PENNY GERAGHTY 0412 548 872

HEALTH MINISTER’S OFFICE: AMANDA FROUDE 3225 2680