New $8.5m Lakeview Cardiology Centre at North Shore Hospital
25 October 2011
$8.5m Lakeview Cardiology Centre opens at North Shore Hospital
Waitemata District Health Board’s new $8.5 million Lakeview Cardiology Centre at North Shore Hospital will be officially opened on Monday 31 October.
The 25-bed centre houses a coronary care unit, a step-down unit, a cardiology ward and two cardiac catheterisation laboratories, the first of which will operate from November 21. The second lab will start operating in January.
The extra capacity will mean shorter waits for patients needing procedures such as angiograms and permanent pacemaker implants, with up to 14 or more procedures a day able to be completed - around double the number performed now.
Waitemata DHB’s clinical director of cardiology, Tony Scott, says the centre is an outstanding facility that will provide leading edge care for Waitemata residents close to their homes.
“Cardiovascular disease accounts for 40 per cent of all deaths in New Zealand and is particularly problematic in Waitemata. Having local access to cardiology services makes a tremendous difference to our patients and this centre boosts our capacity significantly."
The light, modern facility is located on the first floor of North Shore Hospital’s Lakeview Development, above the new emergency department and 50-bed assessment and diagnostic unit.
Around 100 staff will work in the centre, which will also offer 24/7 specialist cardiologist advice for doctors working in other areas of North Shore Hospital, at Waitakere Hospital, and in the community.
The centre’s first patients will be transferred to the facility from North Shore Hospital’s existing coronary care unit and cardiology ward on November 9.
Better treatment for heart disease is one of Waitemata DHB’s top ten strategic priorities.
Visiting Hours: For the Coronary Care and Step-down Units, and the Cardiology Ward, the visiting hours are 11am to 1pm and 3pm until 8pm. There is a patient rest period between 1pm and 3pm.
ENDS