UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Media release
Patients to benefit from state of the art cardiology catheter laboratories

Nick Ross, TV presenter and Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South are to open the newly refurbished and re-equipped cardiology catheter laboratories at Bristol Royal Infirmary as part of a day long celebration of the successful completion of the scheme on Friday, June 28. Capital investment of £3.7 million was received recently, including £2.5 million 'heart money' from the government, and £1.8 million from the British Heart Foundation (including 700k to the University of Bristol Heart Institute for research).

Patients across the Avon, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset area will benefit from the improved facilities. The major upgrade of the whole department means there are now 3 catheter laboratories, 2 with totally new equipment and one refurbished. The upgrade of non-invasive facilities such as exercise test and tape fitting rooms mean that patients now have more privacy. The whole department now has vastly improved conditions for patients.

More patients than ever will be able to be treated - we expect an increase in procedures from approximately 2000 to nearly 3000 each year. The improved facilities will mean a reduction in waiting times and an improvement in patient care, through the greater safety and efficiency the equipment will provide.

At the opening event, major international cardiology experts and cardiology staff will give a series of lectures on heart disease and cardiology from regional and international perspectives.

Karl Karsch, Associate Director of Cardiology, says "The new catheter laboratory facilities will mean that the number of patients we can treat will rise and the quality of care they receive will improve. In addition, clinical research activity can increase, meaning that long term patient care will be enhanced."

Hugh Ross says "The year long refurbishment work that staff have ably coped with means not only will we be able to treat more patients, but safety and efficiency have been improved overall."

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Email: public-relations@bristol.ac.uk
Copyright: 2001 The University of Bristol, UK
Updated: Friday, 28-Jun-2002 11:34:05 BST