Decision over cardiac treatment meets opposition
Wednesday 13th May 2009
Plans to change the way in which Suffolk heart patients are treated have received criticism.
Under the proposals, emergency heart attack patients will no longer be given clot-busting drugs and taken by ambulance to Ipswich Hospital, the Ipswich Evening Star reports.
Rather, they will be taken to Norwich, Papworth or Basildon for treatment.
The centres in these locations offer angioplasty, which is a surgical procedure involving opening up blocked or narrowed coronary arteries.
Responding to the plans, Graham Newman, Suffolk county council's portfolio holder for adult and community services, said they may jeopardise people's safety as ambulance journey times could be longer.
However, Dr Robert Winter, medical director of NHS East of England, said: "Establishing designated heart attack centres was one of the key recommendations we made in our strategic vision 'Towards the best, together' because it delivers better care for patients and will save lives."
He added that the strategy was subject to wide consultation last year.
Written by Martin Lambert
Related articles
High blood pressure can be combated by ...
The risk of having a heart condition due to high blood pressure can be combated by pills that contain a variety of drugs. ...
Wednesday 16th May 2012
Stroke risk increased by irregular heartbeat in...
Strokes are among the biggest killers worldwide and new research has found that older women diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat...
Thursday 10th May 2012
Blood pressure drugs could help trauma victims
Blood pressure drugs could be the latest weapon to help trauma victims reduce the likelihood of getting severe post-traumatic...
Wednesday 2nd May 2012
Related Cardiac-Physiology Jobs
We have an exclusive opportunity for an Electrophysiologist to work on a temporary contract within a leading acute London...
Full infoBand 5 Cardiac Physiologist for a permanent job opportunity in the Milton Keynes area.We have an exciting opportunity for a Band...
Full infoBSE accredited Echocardiography job available in the West Midlands.We have a locum Echocardiography job available for a an experienced...
Full info