State of the art unit

The Conquest Heart Centre, which opened almost a year ago and cost more than 2million saw its first patients last November.

Dr David Walker, lead clinician for coronary heart disease, said, "The centre has been tremendous for patients and we have already seen a big reduction in the times patients are waiting and we are also looking into providing some new services for patients."

Before the centre, the cardiology team performed around 600 angiograms per year but are looking to carry out 1,000 next year.

Dr Walker said: "Patients who would previously be waiting seven months for an angiogram are now waiting three months and patients waiting for pacemakers are now waiting for two weeks rather than three months which is an excellent improvement.

"We are also putting a business case together to start angioplasty procedures at the centre in order that we can see more patients, but it's early days yet."

Coronary angiography involves inserting a small tube into a patient's wrist or leg.

Through this tube narrow catheters are passed to the heart so that any narrowing of the arteries can be visualised with specialised X-ray equipment and appropriate treatment then planned by the cardiologist.

The centre stands adjacent to the existing cardiology department at the Conquest.

The catheter lab is used by doctors to carry out investigative procedures which allow them to look the heart (coronary) arteries, and also for the insertion of permanent pacemakers.

The state-of-the art equipment, alone worth around 750,000, ensures patient comfort and the best tools for the job.

The National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund and the Department of Health funded the cost of the project.

The Centre, boasting six beds, is helping the Trust to meet the increasing demands for cardiac investigations required by the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease.