Orange the heart of care in regional NSW

Nepean Hospital cardiac catheter laboratory nurse unit manager Sharon Verhoeven says Orange is the state-leader for providing cardiovascular care to patients outside Sydney

“I am absolutely gobsmacked about the level of care there is here in Orange,” she said.

“You have two highly experienced cardiologists here and Orange has come such a long way in cardiac care.

“Many lives have been saved.”

More than 100 doctors, specialists, educators and nurses involved in cardiac care were in Orange yesterday for the first ever cardiovascular conference held in the city.

Guest speakers included interventional cardiologist Dr Sidney Lo from Liverpool Hospital, who regularly carries out stent procedures in Orange Base Hospital’s cardio laboratory; Orange cardiologists Dr David Amos; Dr Ruth Arnold and cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Peter Grant.

“In the past people have been reluctant to go to Sydney for their initial care, but once they come here to Orange and see their options they are much more likely to go on to have their surgery in Sydney,” Ms Verhoeven said.

She said she was amazed at the number of patients who have been treated since she helped set up the cardiac laboratory at Orange Base Hospital a few years ago.

“It is also exciting to know that at the new hospital there will be an even better set up with more beds,” Ms Verhoeven said.

“It is wonderful to think that 60 per cent of heart problems can be treated here in Orange.”

Orange catheter laboratory nurse unit manager Jo Dean said organiser of the Beats Around the Bush cardiovascular conference Estelle Ryan was delighted with the response to the conference by such a large numbers of health professionals.

“We have people from such a wide area here today, from Broken Hill down to Nepean,” she said.