Milestone procedure for 'fantastic' partnership

Wollongong Private Hospital has celebrated a major milestone after its heart-care team performed its 1,000th cardiac procedure just three years after the first one.

The Ramsay Health Care facility introduced advanced cardiothoracic services to the Illawarra Shoalhaven region in October 2021 as part of its mission to bring treatment options closer to the local community.

The milestone operation was a coronary artery bypass graft to restore the supply of blood to the heart and increase life expectancy, which the hospital team has now performed on hundreds of patients.

"This milestone is a moment to reflect on the incredible work of the healthcare providers involved, and the hundreds of local patients who've been able to access leading cardiac care close to home," Wollongong Private Hospital CEO Adrian Bautista said.

"Care which at times included minimally-invasive and non-surgical treatment options like the mitral valve clip procedure we recently introduced here at Wollongong Private, which is an alternative to open-heart surgery and which was previously only available in Sydney." 

Wollongong Private Hospital delivers its cardiac services in collaboration with the regional health district, resulting in 572 public patients receiving potentially lifesaving treatment since 2021.

"The Public Private Partnership between Wollongong Private Hospital and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District is a fantastic example of public and private hospitals working together to deliver a world-class service for the local community," Mr Bautista said.

Cardiothoracic surgeon Professor Adam El-Gamel said Wollongong Private Hospital's milestone was possible thanks to a team driven by collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of patients.

"The heart of this success lies in the exceptional team involved: surgeons, nurses, anaesthetists, and support staff, each of whom plays a crucial role in the seamless functioning of our operations," he said.

"As we acknowledge our success and how far we have come in a relatively short time, we continue to look forward, to foster innovation and continuous improvement.

"We remain committed to advancing the field of cardiothoracic surgery through clinical research and hope that our many clinical studies contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge."

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