£10.6 million cardiac facility at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital officially opened after successful first year of operation
A state-of-the-art new medical facility dedicated to treating cardiac problems officially opened in Hampshire last week.
The Hampshire Hospitals Heart Centre, located on the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital campus, contains two cardiac catheterisation labs and offers a purpose-built environment for specialist teams of staff to undertake diagnostic assessment and cardiac procedures.
The £10.6 million facility has been operational for the past year, and in the last 12 months it has helped treat more than 2,700 patients — including over 200 emergency procedures — providing “safe, sustainable emergency and elective cardiac procedure services to communities across north and mid Hampshire”.
The introduction of the heart centre has also seen a 19.3 per cent increase in angiographic procedures. These involve x-rays of blood vessels and organs.
Consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist Dr Robert Bowers said: “Our expert teams have been delivering life-changing assessments and procedures at the Heart Centre for almost a year, transforming the quality of life for thousands of patients in Hampshire.
“From carrying out angiograms and angioplasty (stents), through to emergency response; we have consolidated cardiac treatment so that it is provided in a highly efficient way, making best use of technology and equipment.”
The ribbon was cut at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, October 11 by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Nigel Atkinson. The event was also attended by the facility’s first ever patient, Michael Simms and Basingstoke MP Dame Maria Miller.
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chairman Steven Erskine said: “We are delighted to have now officially opened the Heart Centre at Hampshire Hospitals.
“This facility epitomises our commitment to providing outstanding care to the community in an efficient and sustainable way.”
The heart centre was constructed by contractor Darwin Group Limited using innovative modular-build design and building methods, enabling the facility to be operational in just 12 months.
Darwin Group Deputy CEO Jim Pierce attended the official opening.
He said: “At Darwin Group, we’re extremely proud of the new cardiac catheterisation laboratories at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.
“The project was incredibly involved, partly due to the intricate design co-ordination required for the specialist diagnostic imaging equipment, and complex nature of procedures conducted in the cath labs.
“It was also the first time that modern methods of construction were used to build a cath lab facility in the UK.
“The new heart centre has enabled the trust to provide life-changing treatments closer to home for thousands of patients each year, meaning the hospital can meet current and future demand in delivering efficient and sustainable health services for a growing population.
“It’s been fantastic to revisit the facility for the official opening and see first-hand the positive impact that the theatres have had on staff and patients alike.”
