Leading global experts join heart defect unit
SCOTLAND could become a worldleader in the care of adults born with heart defects following the major expansion of a national unit with internationally renowned specialists.
Dr Gruschen Veldtman, formerly of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in the US, has been appointed to the Scottish Adult Congenital Cardiac Service (SACCS), based at NHS Golden Jubilee, in Clydebank, where the most complex surgery is carried out.
He previously helped to set up a centre of excellence for the speciality in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia.
The Clydebank unit will also be bolstered by consultant cardiologist Dr Lorna Swan, who has worked at the Royal Brompton Hospital, in London, and Toronto General Hospital, in Canada, which is considered to be among the best heart centres in the world.
The unit works closely with colleagues at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, which treats youngsters up to the age of 16 who have heart problems.
Two other specialists have been appointed, including Dr Hamish
Walker, who previously worked at the Golden Jubilee and renowned centres in Southampton and Leeds and has expertise in MRI imaging.
The other new addition to Scotland’s team of heart specialists is Dr Amanda Hunter, who trained at NHS Golden Jubilee and the Royal Brompton.
Dr Swan, who has been a consultant cardiologist for 15 years, said: “With this level of expertise, there is a real opportunity to capitalise on international best practice and innovative methods, as we have worked in other fantastic units and can bring all of our experience together into this one specialist unit.
“Our model gives Scotland a major advantage. We can now offer additional bespoke outreach care at regional centres and help upskill them to offer care to patients near to their home, while the more complex treatments are still carried out at NHS Golden Jubilee.
“We also have a highly regarded, specialist nursing team, which is an advantage other centres in the world do not have.”
According to latest figures, there are approximately 18,240 adults in Scotland who have congenital heart disease, which is in the spotlight this week in a world-wide awareness campaign.