Cardiology services at Canberra Hospital are set to expand with the opening of the new Critical Services Building next month.
Cardiology services will be moving to the new Critical Services Building and will include a new Acute Cardiac Care Unit, Cardiac Day Unit and three Cardiac Catherisation Labs.
The Acute Cardiac Care Unit will increase from 19 to 28 beds and the Cardiac Day unit will more than double in capacity with an increase from 9 to 20 beds.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the expansion of cardiology services will enable more patients to be treated for heart conditions.
"The expansion of services will provide more timely access to treatment for Canberrans in a modern and fit-for-purpose facility.
"Bringing these cardiology services together in the new building will also support smooth transfers of patients between the units, ongoing monitoring and timely interventions for patients where required," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The expansion includes a dedicated lab for cardiac electrophysiology procedures and a larger lab to accommodate more complex procedures such as TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation).
Other key features of the new building to support the cardiology service, include:
- a procedure room – to perform Transoesophageal Echocardiogram as well as other minor procedures
- a diagnostic room – for minimally invasive procedures
- a stress test room – designed specifically to perform exercise stress tests for inpatients and including an exercise bike in addition to the traditional treadmill for patients with impaired mobility.
"The expansion of cardiac care provides an example of how clinicians have played a key role in contributing to the design of the Critical Services Building. Their input has been key in creating a work environment that is state-of-the-art, improves workflow and leads to better patient outcomes," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
The new Critical Services Building is being prepared for clinical services and is expected to open in August. Canberra Health Services staff are currently undertaking training in the new building and thousands of pieces of new equipment being commissioned.
