PUBLIC cardiac patients who present at Manning Hospital in Taree can be referred to Port Macquarie Base Hospital's Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory for diagnostic services.

The option is now on the table for Manning Valley public patients who currently must travel to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. On July 20 the Port Macquarie Base Hospital Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory performed its first coronary angiogram on 77-year-old Robert Kennedy.

Mr Kennedy spoke of his experience in the Port Macquarie News and revealed it "was a comforting thought to know he would be home by the fire after leaving the hospital on the afternoon of the procedure".

"I would have automatically thought I would have had to go to Sydney," Mr Kennedy said.

"My brother, eight weeks prior, had the procedure done in Sydney."

Mr Kennedy said he was impressed by the facility and the staff.

The cardiac catheterisation laboratory was part of the Port Macquarie Base Hospital's $104 million expansion.

The facility is initially providing cardiac diagnostic services with a plan to expand to interventional services in the future.

The Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) is the first rural local health district in the State to have two cardiac catheterisation laboratories within its boundaries. Coffs Harbour also has a cardiac catheterisation laboratory.

Manning Hospital is managed by the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD). Its chief executive Michael DiRienzo is responsible for all services across the district and the focus of a campaign spearheaded by cardiologist, Dr Sesh Narasimhan and Manning Hospital Medical Staff Council Chair, Dr Murray Hyde Page. They seek to convince him to negotiate an agreement with Mayo Private Hospital in Taree that would allow public patients to use the cardiac catheterisation laboratory for diagnostic services. Currently cardiac patients in the Manning Valley must travel to Newcastle for diagnostic and interventional procedures.

"On average three to four patients each week are transferred from Manning Hospital to John Hunter Hospital to receive treatment in the cardiac catheter lab," revealed HNELHD executive director of greater metropolitan health services, Karen Kelly.

"The majority of these patients attend for an initial diagnostic procedure, and then require interventional procedures angioplasty or cardiac surgery at John Hunter Hospital."

In recent months, numerous cardiac public patients in the Manning Valley have revealed in the Manning River Times the negative impacts of travel to Newcastle for diagnostic and interventional procedures and pitched their support behind the campaign for a public-private partnership with Mayo Private Hospital.

News that the Port Macquarie Base Hospital Cardiac Catherisation Laboratory is now open for business flags another option for public patients in the Manning Valley - an option that will mean less travel for diagnostic services.

According to Ms Kelly, "we understand that Port Macquarie Base Hospital's Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory will accept referrals from Manning Hospital if it is clinically appropriate to do so."

"It is up to the individual together with their GP or treating physician as to where they are referred for medical services."

MNCLHD Hastings-Macleay clinical network co-ordinator Dr Robert Pegram confirms the option is now available stating, "MNCLHD will treat any patient, public or private, from any area if they are referred to us for a procedure we are capable of performing. However, referral is at the discretion of the treating physician, based on clinical appropriateness."

ainslee.dennis@fairfaxmedia.com.au