Cardiac capability broadens

GOLD Coast cardiac patients will no longer need to travel to Brisbane for complex surgery after a $12m purpose-built facility opens its doors.

The new cardiac care centre at Gold Coast Private Hospital will give the city 22 new beds and surgery.

It will be the most comprehensive suite of cardiac services on the Coast, meaning patients can complete their treatment, surgery and recovery in the one facility.

“A lot of GPS were being asked for this service more and more, patients were using Dr Google and seeing they could have this instead (of open heart),” the hospital’s general manager Kimberley Pierce said.

“For the patient it’s a better outcome if they’re suitable for it. It’s important we offer a full range of cardiac services instead of just one aspect of surgery.”

The theatre will officially open on Monday.

The private hospital has now taken on cardiac patients from the public system to cope with numbers during the Covid pandemic.