People with heart conditions in Adelaide’s western suburbs will benefit from new, modern infrastructure and equipment following a recently completed refurbishment of the Cardiac Catheterisation (Cath) Labs at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH).
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the reopening of the Cath Labs delivers on the Marshall Liberal Government’s election commitment to restore 24/7 cardiology services at TQEH.
“The $4 million upgrade ensures that TQEH has the capacity to deal with cardiac emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a state-of-the-art cardiac cath lab onsite delivering services using a multi-disciplinary approach,” Minister Wade said.
“The people of the western suburbs were let down by Labor – fobbed off with hollow promises and scaling back of services at TQEH. The Marshall Liberal Government is continuing to undo the damage of Transforming Health.
“This upgrade secures the future of the cardiac unit and is integral to the Marshall Liberal Government’s commitment to restore cardiac services at TQEH.
“We are investing in our clinicians, services and world-class infrastructure to support best quality care and positive patient outcomes. This investment is vital as South Australia responds to a wave of heart disease as the population ages.
“The refurbished Cath Labs are part of the overall $264 million redevelopment of TQEH that will improve our health services to ease pressure on our emergency departments and deliver care closer to home.”
The completed building works includes a re-designed layout providing increased space for the electrophysiology lab and improved workflows within the preparation areas.
New cardiac monitoring equipment in the patient recovery bays have been installed, as well as two echocardiogram (ECG) machines and new BiPaP ventilators.
Director Catheterisation Laboratory at the TQEH, Associate Professor Chris Zeitz, said planning for the Cath Lab upgrades has been led by the TQEH redevelopment team, working with all treating clinical staff.
“Throughout the refurbishment process we have worked with clinicians and specialist engineers to determine the requirements for the upgrade of the Cath Lab space and new equipment at TQEH,” Associate Professor Zeitz said.
“As part of the refurbishments, we have new forms of imaging using ultrasound and optical coherence tomography, which gives highly detailed views of the interior surface of the heart arteries and has been integrated into the equipment to enable seamless use of these technologies during interventional procedures.
“In addition, new aortic balloon pumps, which are inflatable devices to boost blood flow for weakened hearts, have also been installed.
“The Marshall Liberal Government reopened the 24/7 cardiac service at TQEH in June 2018 until the service was temporarily closed for construction from 28 December 2018. We are excited to reopen the labs, with full-time services commencing Tuesday 16 July 2019.
“Extensive consultation is continuing for the next stage of planning, for the new Clinical Services Building, with building works due to commence in 2020.
“We are committed to continuing to engage with our clinicians and consumers to ensure the new Clinical Services Building reflects the needs of our community now and into the future.”
