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Improved cardiac care for the regions

Media Release | 28 August 2008

For the first time, South Australian rural doctors now have access to all four major cardiology units in metropolitan Adelaide through a single state-wide telephone access number.

Health Minister John Hill says this major milestone was great news for country South Australia and has been made possible as a result of the wonderful work by iCCnet SA, which focuses on improving access to cardiovascular care particularly for those in rural and remote areas.

It is strongly supported by the recently established statewide Clinical Network in Cardiology.

"As part of a trial using cardiologists from Flinders Medical Centre, iCCnet SA has been providing South Australian country practitioners and health services with 24/7 consultant cardiologist advice through a highly reliable and responsive paging system for some years now," Minister Hill says.

"This service has now been expanded to include all four tertiary cardiology units at Flinders Medical Centre, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Royal Adelaide Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital through the one telephone number.

"The service has contributed to the significant improvement in access to evidence-based acute cardiology management, including streamlined access to tertiary care for high-risk patients, and the improved clinical outcomes for country patients that has resulted from the implementation of integrated services.

"I would also like to acknowledge the important role of nursing staff in country hospitals and GP clinics who work closely with iCCnet.

"The State Government, through Country Health SA, has provided $1.13 million over four years to help iCCnet improve the treatment of cardiac and coronary disease in regional, rural and remote areas of South Australia.

"This investment is aimed at ensuring country health services continue to have a strong future."

A telephone support service, provided by specialist cardiac nurses, is also available to country nurses requiring information or advice about treating cardiac patients.

The development of iCCnet SA has been led by cardiologists at the Flinders Medical Centre, who wanted to find out why cardiovascular disease had a higher impact on people living in regional and rural areas.