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New heart surgeons vital: charity NI 'has too few heart surgeons'
(about 2 hours later)
Too few heart operations are taking place in Northern Ireland because of a lack of surgeons, a charity has said.Too few heart operations are taking place in Northern Ireland because of a lack of surgeons, a charity has said.
The Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke Association has called for three new cardiac surgeons to be appointed as soon as possible.The Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke Association has called for three new cardiac surgeons to be appointed as soon as possible.
It also said the decision to stop patients going outside NI for treatment meant fewer people were able to have operations at the end of 2009.It also said the decision to stop patients going outside NI for treatment meant fewer people were able to have operations at the end of 2009.
Belfast Trust has said it will resume those operations this month.Belfast Trust has said it will resume those operations this month.
Andrew Dougal from the association said the delays had become unacceptable.Andrew Dougal from the association 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."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."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.""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.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.""To meet the needs of the Northern Ireland people, three additional cardiac surgeons must be appointed. This needs to be done without further delay."
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.
"The department continues to require trusts to work to the 13 week access target for in-patient treatment, though we know that Belfast Trust will now not be able to meet the standard for a number of specialities, and some patients will wait longer for cardiac surgery at present."