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Angioplasty funding confirmed: planning
and fundraising in high gear.
February 11, 2009
 MPP
Bill Mauro delivered a special gift for Cardiac Awareness
Month. Today, he announced that the Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care confirmed over $8 million in funding in support
of second cardiac catheterization lab at Thunder Bay Regional
Health Sciences Centre.
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“We have already shifted gears,” says
Ron Saddington, Health Sciences Centre President
and CEO. “Our hope is that the new lab will
be operational before the end of this year.”
The total cost of the project is estimated at just
over $12 million.
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Glenn Craig, President
& CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences
Foundation is confident the community will ensure
the required funds are in place. “Donations
to the Northern Cardiac Fund have already yielded
tremendous returns for the people of Northwestern
Ontario. A second cardiac catheterization lab will
bring cardiac care to a level we’ve only dreamt
of,” he explains. Donations will help outfit
the new cardiac catheterization lab with state-of-the-art
equipment.
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A second cardiac catheterization lab will increase capacities
for angiograms, angioplasties and other cardiac procedures,
ensuring shorter wait times for patients. It significantly
enhances efforts to recruit a second interventional cardiologist
to the Health Sciences Centre.
With a second cardiac catheterization lab and interventional
cardiologist, the Health Sciences Centre will provide 24/7
access to emergency angioplasty: the Gold Standard of cardiac
treatment.
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Catherine Trewin was
fortunate to receive emergency angioplasty service
at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre recently.
“I had a heart attack and came to the emergency
room. Luckily, Dr. Henderson was on site and performed
angioplasty within two hours,” she says. “I
wouldn’t have survived otherwise.”
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Dr. Mark Henderson, Interventional Cardiologist,
says today’s funding announcement means patients
like Ms. Trewin won’t have to rely on luck.
“That level of service can, and will, be standard
for Northwestern Ontario patients.”
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The confirmation of the funding launches activity
to move the project forward. Lori Marshall, Vice
President, Medicine, Cardiology, Mental Health and
Maternal Child Services confirms preliminary drawings
are in place so that construction can begin by late
summer. “Given the extremely high rates of
cardiac disease in our community, the second cardiac
catheterization lab is a priority,” she states,
adding that there will be no disruption to service
in the existing lab during construction.
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