Staff are hoping for better patient care with the opening of a dedicated cardiac unit and discharge hub.

The new facility at University Hospital Crosshouse will provide high level care for six people as well as another 23 general care beds.

Dr Victor Chong, Clinical Director in Cardiology at Crosshouse, says there is robust evidence that patients with cardiovascular conditions cared for at a dedicated specialised unit have better outcomes.

“This drove us to modify the unit in University Hospital Crosshouse…as part of the new Acute Cardiac Care Unit,” he explains.

“This rearrangement of resources also allowed us to create a dedicated day unit and integrate our investigative cardiac physiology unit housing all our services in one area.

“The cardiac day unit will be the interface between primary and secondary care and provide rapid assessment services.

“This close proximity and collaborative working will ultimately lead to better care for our patients but is particularly beneficial during the current pandemic as it reduces the need for patients to move around the hospital for testing and care.”

The acute cardiac care unit is housed alongside the newly formed discharge hub at the hospital, where hospital staff work with the third sector to support adults patients heading home.

“The hub provides a patient-centric approach to care,” says Lisa Davidson, General Manager Medical Specialties.

“The processes for both simple and complex discharges is streamlined though a collective approach in partnership with the local authorities.

“The aim is to reduce the length of stay for inpatients by simplifying the discharge process, providing care in the right place; at the right time; in the right setting.”

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