Heart specialist defends unit in 'centralise' row

A CONSULTANT cardiologist has said Morriston Hospital's cardiac centre is one of the busiest for stent heart procedures in the UK.

Mark Ramsey, who is also a clinical director for regional services, at Aber- tawe Bro Morgannwg Uni- versity Health Board, has hit back at suggestions only a few patients rely on the city unit.

During the stent proc- edure, a stent may be placed to widen the artery to improve blood flow.

Dr Ramsey also made clear the current cardiac review, which is being conducted by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC), does not have the remit to determine whether or not there is one or two cardiac centres in South Wales.

He said: "The cardiac centre in Swansea is a medium sized centre. It undertakes approximately 1,200 stent procedures each year placing it in the upper half of the activity league table by individual hospitals in the UK.

"As regards cardiac surgery, of the 42 publicly- funded hospitals in the UK and Ireland performing heart surgery, Swansea is 28th in terms of activity levels (Cardiff is 24th)."

Concerns were originally sparked about the future of the unit when Phil Webb, a specialised planner at WHSSC and project manager of the cardiac review, indicated the service could be centralised during a CHC meeting. NHS Wales chief executive Paul Williams has since said Morriston Hospital's cardiac unit is not earmarked for closure, although the service it provides is under review.

A nurse also called into question the productivity of the unit, and questioned where data for the cardiac review would come from.

But Dr Ramsey made clear professional coders review hospital records and are responsible for recording diagnoses and treatments that patients have received.

He further rejected the claim made by the nurse that consultants go into their rooms to see a great deal more private patients.

"During 2010/11, 31 patients received heart surgery at Morriston under private arrangements," Dr Ramsey added. "These were performed at the weekends when routine NHS operations do not take place. This represents less than five per cent of the total heart surgical activity in Swansea and is probably one of the lowest proportions in the UK."

elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503366/s/14570980/l/0L0Sthisissouthwales0O0Cnews0CHeart0Especialist0Edefends0Eunit0Ecentralise0Erow0Carticle0E34736310Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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