Friendlies Cardiac Investigation Unit welcomes $3m boost

A Bundaberg hospital’s lifesaving investigation unit is receiving $3m worth of cutting-edge technology so it can continue to treat private and public patients closer to home.

Friendlies Society Private Hospital Cardiologist Doctor Andre Conradie (centre) is thrilled to be able to continue and improve interventional treatment for people who suffer heart attacks, saving them from having to travel to Brisbane. Photo: Paul Beutel

Millions of dollars are being poured into a lifesaving unit at the Friendlies Society Private Hospital to ensure more Bundaberg patients can be treated closer to home.

More than a decade since the private hospital opened its Cardiac Investigation Unit, it has announced a $3m boost to the program.

Under a government agreement unique to the Wide Bay the private hospital investigation unit treats both public and private patients.

The Friendlies Hospital Board said the investment in state-of-the-art technology was vital.

“Instead of Wide Bay cardiac patients being flown to the Sunshine Coast or Brisbane, they are now treated closer to home,” board chair Barry Dangerfield said.

The Friendlies Hospital Cardiac Investigation Unit will receive a $3m boost.

“Urgent intervention is quite often the difference between life and death.”

The board is working with clinical partners to implement the technology in the best way possible.

“We estimate it may cost around $3m to complete an upgrade to the latest world-leading equipment,” Mr Dangerfield said.

“That’s a small price to pay for saving lives.”

Dr Andre Conradie backed the decision and said at the 10th anniversary event the program helps thousands of people a year and saves locals money.

“We used to fly at least 1000 people to Brisbane every year for angiograms who presented with heart attacks,” he said.

He said the program eased pressures on families and those unwell, particularly the aged.

“Patients go home in a day or two without having to travel to Brisbane and without people needing to travel there to visit them, which makes it very difficult, especially for older people,” he said.