The Mater Rockhampton Cardiac Catheterisation and Angiography Laboratory has just treated the one hundredth patient since the state-of-the-art facility opened a few short months ago. As Rockhampton'ss only Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory, the state-of-the-art facility is open to public and private patients, and is a true game changer for the residents of Rockhampton and surrounding districts who require cardiac treatment.

Mater Rockhampton Executive Officer Sue Thurbon is incredibly proud that patients are able to access specialised Cardiac services and procedures at Mater Rockhampton, alleviating the need to travel to major centres. The days of patients having to travel significant distances to access Cardiac Catheter treatment are long gone, Ms Thurbon explained. We are fortunate to have such an incredible depth of experience and knowledge in our team here at Rockhampton Mater and I could not be prouder of them.

Nurse Unit Manager of the Cardiac Catheter Laboratory, Alexander Lendvay is impressed with the state-of-the-art facility, and to have welcomed the one hundredth patient to the facility is a real milestone for the local community and the Mater Hospital. To be able to perform one hundred Coronary Angiographies right here in Rockhampton is a major step forward for healthcare in our region, Mr Lendvay said.

We have also commenced Permanent Pacemaker Insertion procedures in recent times, which again is such an enormous positive. I am certain the community will take great comfort in the knowledge that they can receive highly specialised Peripheral Vascular treatment with Angiography and intervention capabilities performed by Cardiac Specialists here in Rockhampton at the Mater Hospital.

Cardiologist Dr Debora Garcia, whose practice is located at Mater Rockhampton attributes the successful operation of the Cardiac Catheter Laboratory at the hospital to a team effort. The fact that all patients, both public and private, can access highly technical and specialised Cardiac procedures, such as Angiograms and Pacemaker Implantations, is attributed to Mater Rockhampton's ongoing commitment to provide first class healthcare to the community Dr Garcia explained.

With valuable help of my team of doctors, Dr Atique and Dr Ghoshal, who have moved into Rockhampton to help deliver this care, this is a very needed first in Central Queensland that improves cardiovascular outcomes, without the need for patients to have to travel to other areas, Dr Garcia said. On a personal note, my team, Dr Atique, and Dr Ghoshal are all very excited at the prospect of being able to deliver these services in Rockhampton, improving the quality of life, and even in some cases improve health outcomes of very ill patients with cardiovascular disease, locally and timely, with the full support of the families, alleviating the stress of having to travel for treatment.

Following the recent opening of the Emergency Care Centre and the ongoing operation of the state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheter Laboratory, The Mater Rockhampton is showing an unwavering commitment to their vision to ensure all residents of Rockhampton and the surrounding district have access to the highly specialised, quality and compassionate healthcare.