Investment made in the future of cardiac care in Melbourne’s south east region

6 Dec 2022

The clinic provides echocardiograms, stress echocardiograms, Holter monitoring and blood pressure monitoring for patients who are referred by GPs and specialists, with the tests undertaken or reported by one of our 35 accredited cardiologists.

St John of God Berwick Hospital Director of Cardiology Dr James Sapontis says the expanded cardiac services enable affordable and easy access to cardiac care for local communities.

Currently people needing cardiac services in the Casey area are travelling outside of their local community.

“St John of God Berwick Hospital has strong cardiac services with a Cardiac Catheter Laboratory and Cardiac Care Unit, so people have no need to leave the area to access good cardiac diagnostic and procedural care,” Dr Sapontis says.

The new service also provides patients with consistency of care. 

“When a patient presents to their GP with symptoms, they can be referred to our Cardiac Services Unit for screening and diagnostic testing,” Dr Sapontis says. 

“If anything abnormal is detected, our cardiologists will consult with the referring doctor before arranging any further procedures that may be indicated such as angiography, stenting, pacemakers, defibrillators or electrophysiology studies. 

“Worst case scenario is ─ if you need to be admitted for more complex surgery or urgent treatment, you are already in a hospital.”

That continuity of care extends to patients who may need to access rehabilitation services as part of their recovery from a cardiac event. 

“We have both inpatient and outpatient rehab services at our Berwick and Frankston campuses,” Dr Sapontis says. 

“From physiotherapists, dietitians, exercise physiologists, occupational therapists and pastoral care, St John of God Health Care hospitals offer holistic care close to home and all in one place when it comes treating cardiac issues. This is really very good news for the people living in our local communities.”