Top heart facility opens at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children

10/10/01
Health Minister Bob Kucera has officially opened a new treatment facility for children with heart problems.
The Children's Cardiac Centre at Princess Margaret Hospital represents the completion of a range of cardiac services now available to Western Australian children and their families.
"Just over three years ago, many WA children had to travel to Melbourne for complex heart surgery," Mr Kucera said.
"Today, Princess Margaret Hospital performs more than 90 per cent of all paediatric heart surgery."
Mr Kucera said the new Children's Cardiac Centre would provide an integrated service for the assessment and treatment of most forms of heart disease.
The centre is equipped with new diagnostic equipment, which helps to establish the severity of the problem and decide if cardiac surgery is needed.
It also features a new multi-plane probe, which will be used on small babies and is the first of its kind in Australia.
The Health Department committed more than $1 million to renovate and fully equip the cardiac theatre, $850,000 towards building the new cardiac centre and more than $500,000 for new ultrasound equipment.
The Hancock Medical Foundation Inc has contributed an additional $300,000.
Mr Kucera said it was important to recognise the many experienced and dedicated staff who made it possible to provide complex cardiac services in WA.
"Without local medical expertise, our children would still be going to Melbourne for complex heart surgery and WA's heart kids might not enjoy the quality of life they do," he said.
"It is a testament to these dedicated staff that I was today able to officially open this centre, which means WA children can continue to receive quality cardiac care close to home."
Media contact: Fran Robb 9213 7000