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Third cath lab at BSCH wins Strategic Health Authority (SHA) backing
Good news for Sussex patients with arrhythmias (heart rhythm disorders)
BSUH has been given the go-ahead by the SHA to develop a new 3rd cardiac catheter laboratory so that it can provide new specialist treatments for patients who’s drug treatment or cardioversion has failed to restore normal heartbeat. Later in 2008 this group will be able to be treated locally - by ablation or an implantable device - instead of having to travel to London. Currently there is inadequate capacity at the Sussex Cardiac Centre to provide more than a fraction of the volume of these treatments required by Sussex residents. A £1.5M investment by the SHA will provide a new 3rd catheterisation laboratory as well as re-equipping the existing twin-lab facility opened in 1999.
It is over 3 years since the need for a 3rd lab at the SCC was first identified and the Sussex Heart Network gave it a high strategic priority as a network-wide resource. A minimum of 3 catheter laboratories is considered to be the lowest threshold of sustainability for NHS adult tertiary cardiac centres. The project has the backing of all consultant cardiologists in the network who will be making referrals to it when the scheme is complete later in 2008. The facility will also be used to support new non-surgical treatments for some structural heart defects available only at a few specialist centres in the UK.
Commenting on the approval after the SHA decision in October, Lead Consultant at the SCC, Dr Steve Holmberg, said:
“Local patients who need a range of highly specialised cardiac treatments will soon be able to receive them both locally and with shortened waiting times. Many patients who now have to cope with difficult symptoms or who rely on complex drug therapies, often with side effects, will benefit from this facility. The development is supported by all cardiologists across the network and serves to under-pin the SCC as the major specialist cardiac centre serving Sussex.”
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