Official opening of round-the-clock heart attack service at Mount Hospital

May 16, 1996

Health Minister Kevin Prince today officially opened a new 24-hour, seven-day service for suspected heart attack patients at Perth's Mount Hospital.

Mr Prince said the Mount Cardiac Centre's receival unit on the ground floor meant that emergency patients arriving by ambulance, or privately, could be assessed and treated without delay.

The Mount is the first private hospital in Western Australia to feature 24-hour access to a private acute angioplasty service.

"Every moment counts when you are having a heart attack," Mr Prince said.

"The sooner you receive expert treatment, the greater are the chances of making a full recovery."

Angioplasty is a lifesaving heart operation that clears blocked arteries. A tiny tube with a balloon at its tip is inserted and passed through the artery to the blockage. The balloon is then inflated, unblocking the artery.

The hospital consulted extensively with St John Ambulance officers in the design of the Mount Cardiac Centre.

To support the new service, the hospital has also expanded its Coronary Care Unit from four to eight beds.

The Mount Cardiac Centre is equipped with the latest technology and is committed to delivering the highest standard of care.

Media contact: Amanda O'Brien 222 9595