Heart Op Alert

Even though the top Belfast Health Trust has said it will resume paying for cardiac operations outside NI to keep waiting lists down from this month, there are still too few heart operations taking place in Northern Ireland.

This is because of a lack of surgeons, with the Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke Association calling for three new cardiac surgeons to be appointed as soon as possible.

It also said last year's decision to stop patients going outside NI for treatment meant fewer people were able to have operations at the end of 2009.

Chief Executive Andrew Dougal from the association (pictured) said the delays had become unacceptable: "We have never been in favour of sending large numbers of people outside Northern Ireland for surgery, because of the extra stress it places on the family.

"But if the alternative is for patients not to have their operations at all, that is unacceptable," he said.

"In our view, the only solution is to continue with operations outside Northern Ireland for a period of no longer than two years, with the aim of becoming self-sufficient by 2013."

The charity's Professor Mahendra Varma added: "The health service needs to demonstrate that it has the culture and the will to deliver the number of badly needed operations that the heart patients of Northern Ireland deserve.

"To meet the needs of the Northern Ireland people, three additional cardiac surgeons must be appointed. This needs to be done without further delay."

NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said a lack of funds had led to the temporary suspension of cardiac operations being carried out in the private sector earlier this year.

"This was due to a lack of clarity around our budget," he said.

"Once we received agreement on the budget, particularly in relation to funding for swine flu, I was able to relieve some of the financial pressures currently facing health trusts.

"Around £20m was released to ensure that all trusts could work towards the elective care standards for all specialties, including cardiac surgery in Belfast, making use, where necessary, of the independent sector."

(BMcC/GK)