Noble’s Hospital’s Cardiology Service recently launched a new Pacemaker Implantation Service. This service enables cardiac patients who require routine standard pacemaker implantation surgery, to undergo the procedure on Island, along with receiving all necessary follow-up treatment and care, including the provision of routine battery changes.
The new Pacemaker Implantation Service means that cardiac patients, who require routine standard pacemaker implantation surgery, can undergo the procedure on Island, along with being provided all necessary follow-up treatment and care, including routine battery changes. The service has also introduced a pre-operative patient education session, to help improve the patients’ experiences by ensuring they are fully informed and aware of what to expect prior, during and after the procedure. The introduction of the new service has reduced the waiting times for routine implantation and battery changes, as well as removing the need to travel to the UK for routine pacemaker care, which reduces the stress and worry for both patients and their relatives.
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK, said:
'One of the key objectives within the Department’s Strategy for the Future of Health Services is the better management of long term conditions such as heart disease. The implementation of this local pacemaker service fulfils one of the targets of reducing the risk from coronary heart disease and related conditions. The Department is committed to continuing to improve and develop service provision, whilst striving to provide a wide range of services within the financial constraints of the allocated budget. The delivery of the vital pacemaker implantation service for cardiac patients across our Island, allows travelling and commissioning care costs to be reduced year on year, enabling funds and resources to be used more efficiently in the provision of care on-Island.
I wish to put on record the Department’s sincere gratitude to the Coslett Family for their bequest of over £40,000 to the Noble’s Hospital Equipment Fund, specified for the enhancement of Pacemaker Services on the Island. Legacies, donations and charitable funds enable Noble’s Hospital to provide equipment, care, treatments and environments more quickly than would otherwise be possible and to an exceptionally high standard.'
The service can utilise the innovative technology of new pacemaker devices allowing the patients to send information remotely the Pacemaker Clinic. Should the patient feel unwell, a recording can be sent, which will be reviewed immediately by Clinical Cardiology staff, who can then advise the patient on changes to medication, on lifestyle choices and on whether to seek emergency or urgent medical attention at Accident and Emergency, outpatient clinic or their GP practice.
Dr Jan Tibitanzl, Consultant Cardiologist, said:
'Working with a highly specialised and skilled team across Noble’s Hospital, enables us to recognise the needs of the cardiac patient and to plan their care appropriately. Being able to surgically fit a standard pacemaker implant and the subsequent battery changes, and deliver a full package of care, treatment and routine monitoring through outpatient clinics and GP services on Island, reduces the distress of the patients and relatives. Six standard pacemaker implantations and eight battery changes have taken place at Noble’s Hospital since the Pacemaker Implantation Service was launched this year; it is anticipated that approximately fifty pacemaker implantations and twenty-four battery changes will be possible per year. Delivering this service on Island means that the patients and relatives do not have to worry about travelling to and from Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital for care and treatment.
'My thanks go to the Noble’s Hospital Trustees who provided the donation for setting up this service, without which it would not have been possible.'
Complex cardiac implant devices such as internal cardiac defibrillators and cardiac resynchronisation therapy continue to be fitted for Isle of Man patients at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, with follow-up care provided by the tertiary centre in conjunction with Noble’s Hospital and GP services.
Pacemakers are used to treat problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat, such as beating too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. A pacemaker can help a person who has abnormal heart rhythms resume a more active lifestyle.
Having a pacemaker fitted is one of the most common types of heart surgery. In 2010 in England, more than 40,000 people had a pacemaker fitted. Pacemaker implantation is a surgical procedure to put a small battery-operated device called a pacemaker into the patient’s chest. Pacemakers monitor and record the heart's electrical activity and heart rhythm and can send electrical pulses which help keep the heart beating regularly. Newer pacemakers can monitor the patient’s blood temperature, breathing rate, and other factors, and adjust the heart rate to changes in activity.
