05 July 2010

New Coronary Angiography Unit Open at Lismore

The NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, Carmel Tebbutt, today officially opened the new Coronary Angiography Unit at Lismore Base Hospital.

The purpose-built facility will mean up to 700 people a year can now have their lifesaving diagnostic procedures done locally.

“This $4 million service is a big boost to health services on the North Coast,” Ms Tebbutt
said.

“It demonstrates the Keneally Government’s commitment to delivering high quality health
services, as close as possible to where people live.

“It will benefit patients with serious conditions such as heart disease, angina and other acute
coronary syndromes who previously had to travel out of the area for this procedure.

“Coronary angiograms are the 'gold standard' diagnostic test for coronary artery disease.

“It allows the Cardiologist to determined the most appropriate treatment option for the patient
whether that be a bypass, stents or medical management.

“The funding for this service recognises the specific health care needs of this fast growing
region of NSW.”

Cardiovascular disease is a major health issue and one of the nation’s leading causes of
hospitalisation and premature death.

The new unit will specialise in providing Cardiac Catheterisation, a diagnostic procedure for
heart disease in which a catheter is introduced into a large artery, usually of an arm or leg,
and threaded through the circulatory system to the heart.

X-ray contrast fluid is injected into the main blood vessels that take blood to the heart muscle
and the left ventricle, the main pumping chamber of the heart.

The test shows if any of the coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked by plaque (fatty)
deposits. At the same time the pumping chamber and valves on the left side of the heart are
examined for abnormalities.

A range of high-level specialist staff are available to operate the Laboratory. They include:

• a Nurse Unit Manager who has over 12 years experience working in Cardiac Catheter
  Laboratories
• Specialist Registered Nurses
• an experienced Radiographer
• ancillary support staff

The new service is part of the government’s Rural Health Plan which has seen Cardiac
Catheter Labs established at Tamworth, Orange and Coffs Harbour Base Hospitals and arrangements made to treat public patients at a private service in Wagga Wagga.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au