The Country Liberals will establish a new cardiac service to reduce the flow of patients south for angioplasty procedures.

Country Liberals leader, Terry Mills, said the announcement is based around the findings of the 2006 Frommer Review into Territory cardiac services.

The review recommended the establishment of a stent service in the Northern Territory – a call the Henderson Government has failed to adopt.

“According to 2008 figures approximately 150 patients were flown south to undertake coronary angioplasty surgery.

“In the same year it is anticipated there were up to 200 patients who did not undergo this important procedure because of the lack of capacity in the Northern Territory.

“This combination of high levels of unmet need and the burden of having to travel interstate for cardiac procedures were key to the Frommer Review’s conclusion that an investment in the delivery of interventional cardiac services was required in the Northern Territory.

“If elected on August 25th, we will move swiftly to establish partnerships with external providers to establish an angioplasty service in Darwin available to both public and private patients.

“The cardiac unit will cost an estimated $12million with an annual operating cost of approximately $1.5million.”

Further comment: Terry Mills 0418 833 594

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