THE St James’s Hospital Foundation has launched a fundraising appeal for their cardiology department.
The hospital’s official fundraising charity is hoping their ‘Heart Appeal’ will raise €80,000 to fund the introduction of a minimally invasive heart surgery programme that would provide an alternative to open-heart surgery for its public patients.
The introduction of this new technology at St James’s Hospital to treat patients with mitral valve prolapse, provided they prove to be suitable candidates, is expected to halve recovery time.
Lead cardiac surgeon at St James’s Hospital, Michael Tolan, is pioneering the way forward on minimally invasive heart surgery in Ireland.
Mr Tolan said: “The economic benefits of minimally invasive surgery, compared with open-heart surgery, are very clear – shorter time in hospital, less pain for the patient, less risk of infection, less blood usage and less complications.”
Patient Jay Shah is now campaigning for the introduction of the procedure to the public system.
Mrs Shah said: “I was in a fortunate position having the option to get treated in this way. The procedure meant that my recovery time was much shorter, and reduced the burden of my recuperation on my family.
“This life-altering condition can affect anyone, including young people and those who are fit and healthy, which makes the ‘Heart Appeal’ for St James’s Hospital so important.
The highly experienced consultants and doctors at St James’s Hospital have the expertise to complete the surgery in Ireland. The only thing missing is the necessary equipment”.
Donations can be made by visiting the St James’s Hospital Foundation website: www.supportstjames.ie