TOP CARDIAC SURGEON APPOINTED FOR TOWNSVILLE HOSPITAL

The re-opening of Townsville Hospital’s cardiac surgery unit took a major step forward today with the appointment of a top Queensland surgeon, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson said leading cardio-thoracic surgeon Dr Robert Tam would commence his new role as Director of Cardiac Surgery of Townsville Hospital next month (July).

“This is great news for the people of Townsville,” Mr Robertson said.

“It means the hospital now has the senior leadership required to get the cardiac surgery unit back off the ground and shape it into a safe, sustainable service.

“It’s taken much longer than I would have liked, but we are now on track to provide cardiac surgery at Townsville Hospital in the near future.

“Having secured the appointment of a renowned surgeon to head the unit, the Townsville district will now progress to re-establish clinical staff to work around him to gradually bring the unit back to full capacity.

“The full re-opening quite rightly needs to occur in stages but we have achieved a major milestone today.”

Mr Robertson said Dr Tam was a cardiac surgeon of the highest quality and he welcomed him on board.

“Dr Tam has led a distinguished career in Brisbane for many years,” he said.

“He currently heads the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Greenslopes Private Hospital, is a senior cardiothoracic and transplant surgeon and surgical education supervisor at the Prince Charles Hospital.

“He’s also a senior consultant surgeon at Mater Private Hospital in Brisbane.

“Dr Tam was one of the surgeons involved in Australia’s first ever heart/lung/liver triple transplant operation in Brisbane in 2003.

“He also performed the first heart/lung transplant in Queensland in 1999 and other unprecedented complex procedures.”

Mr Robertson said patient safety was the key reason behind the suspension of cardiac surgery at Townsville Hospital last November.

“We did the right thing last November on the advice of senior doctors who considered those services at the time neither safe nor sustainable.

“Today, however, we are on track to resume cardiac surgery at Townsville Hospital in the near future.”

Since the unit’s temporary closure, Townsville Hospital has still been providing cardiology procedures with surgical back-up.

In addition, North Queensland patients requiring cardiothoracic surgery have been receiving these services at other hospitals in Queensland.

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH 3234 1190