$39 MILLION QUEENSLAND PAEDIATRIC CARDIAC SERVICE OPENS

Children with heart conditions will benefit from enhanced paediatric cardiac services now located at the Mater Children’s Hospital, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson officially opened the $39.3 million Queensland Paediatric Cardiac Service (QPCS) which has recently been relocated from The Prince Charles Hospital.

“The relocation of paediatric cardiac services to the Mater Children’s Hospital marks a major milestone in an important journey,” he said.

“It will be the first time in Queensland a centre of excellence for paediatric cardiac services has been located in a dedicated children’s hospital.

“It also represents another milestone in the development of the new Queensland Children’s Hospital which will open in stages from 2011 to 2014.”

Mr Robertson said facilities for the Queensland Paediatric Cardiac Service include:

• Cardiac Specialist Clinics and Clinical Measurements Services

• New state-of-the-art Catheter Laboratory

• Expanded Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with an additional 9 beds

• Dedicated cardiac operating theatre and perfusion areas in theatre complex

• A 19 bed cardiac inpatient ward area

• Expanded Allied Health facilities

• Expanded parent facilities

• Administration areas for cardiac clinicians.

“Paediatric cardiac surgical procedures are already being undertaken and the service is expected to perform about 350 procedures each year.

“More than 90 paediatric staff at The Prince Charles Hospital have made the transition to the Mater to ensure we provide the best quality cardiac care for Queensland kids.

“I would like to acknowledge the many dedicated doctors, nurses, patients, health care professionals and others who have reached this first crucial milestone in the creation of Queensland’s new children’s hospital,” he said.

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH 3234 1190.