There’s good news for heart patients on Cape Breton Island! A cardiac catheterization lab will be included in the new clinic services building as part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality Health Care Redevelopment project.
Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson made the announcement today. “Today, Cape Bretoners have to drive for hours to get lifesaving care they need in Halifax,” Stated Thompson. “This cardiac lab will provide lifesaving care in Cape Breton, and also make life so much easier for patients, who will be able to have their procedure done in less time that it takes to get to the causeway.
Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death and illness in Cape Breton. The hospitals cardiac services team treats more than 400 patients for heart attacks and more that 500 patients for congestive heart failure every year. 300 patients are transported to Halifax by emergency air or ambulance annually to receive a cardiac catheterization in Halifax.
In a cardiac catheterization, a thin flexible tube is guided through a blood vessel to the heart to diagnose or treat conditions like clogged arteries and to prevent heart attacks. Dr. Paul MacDonald from the Cape Breton Regional Hospital says this cardiac catheterization lab is the biggest healthcare initiative announced for Cape Breton since the opening of the Cape Breton Cancer Centre in 1998. It’s expected to improve patient outcomes, reduce wait times for cardiac services and free up hospital beds on Cape Breton and in the rest of the province.
“The infrastructure projects taking place at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital are an important part of the provinces goal to enhance access to healthcare.” Says Colton LeBlanc, Minister responsible for healthcare redevelopment projects. “I commend the collaborative efforts of our hard-working project team and our construction partners.”
$210 million has been invested in this redevelopment project to cover the costs of construction for clinical services buildings and the construction is expected to start in 2023.
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