New £3.4 million laboratories have been officially opened at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary.
Professor Sir Liam Donaldson cut the ribbon for the labs which will be used for investigations and treatment for patients suspected of having a heart attack or heart conditions.
The new facilities have been described as a game changer for North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust. Previously, there was only one ageing lab – in a portable building – and planned procedures had to be postponed if an emergency patient came in.
Consultant cardiologist Dr Justin Barclay said: “These two labs are, not just state-of-the-art with the best equipment we could ask for, they mean that we will be able to carry our planned procedures simultaneously with emergency procedures.”
Sir Liam is the former chief medical officer for England and the current chair of the North East & North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.
Sir Liam spent time chatting to staff and said he felt the new labs were greatly needed and he was thrilled to see it open, adding that these procedures are both lifesaving and life changing.
Former patient and fellow colleague of the Heart Centre staff, Viv English, gave an emotional speech about the difference that the team had made after her heart attack some years ago and more recently for her husband. She said:
“I have worked in cardiology for 23 years and I have experienced many changes over that time, now thankfully we now have this lifesaving service PCI lab. The labs have brought an amazing service to the areas for staff patients and their families
“As a [heart attack] patient myself I sadly had a bad experience myself in a foreign country while I was on holiday but thanks to the wonderful NHS and the team in Carlisle they treated me with so much care providing me with the correct treatment and aftercare and I will be eternally grateful.
“My husband suffered a heart attack six months ago out of the blue. Fit and well we thought the team were amazing treating us as a family with care and support. My husband was taken to the labs and had a stent fitted. He is now back in the mountain on his bike living life to the full.
“Thank you to team cardiology for saving my husband, a dad and a son. I understand how patients and loved ones are worried and anxious. This service saves and has saved so many lives, I am grateful to be part of this team we will and can provide people the chance to get urgent lifesaving treatment that is needed and give help and support and follow up care.
“Thank you once again to the wonderful cardiologists lab staff nurses rehab and cardiology teams you’re simply the best.”
Estelle Hodges, ward manager at the Coronary Care Unit at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven, added: “Having this new facility at the Cumberland Infirmary will make such a difference to the people of West Cumbria.
“We work closely with the Heart Centre to ensure that patients with heart conditions, or are suspected of having a heart attack are cared for in a timely and professional way. This facility will ultimately improve patient flow, and therefore patient experience.”
