First private Cardiac Diagnostic service in Taranaki

First and only private Cardiac Diagnostic service in Taranaki

Fast Pace Solutions Ltd is the first and only private Cardiac Diagnostic service in Taranaki that has been set up by Taranaki Base Hospital's local qualified Cardiac Physiologist, Michael Maxim.

Acting on the frustration of many patients with the lack of alternative, prompt services in the region, FPS has been established to first and foremost cater to patients needing a Holter Monitor or Cardiac Event Recorder, who are currently on long waiting lists at the hospital.

The service, which is the first of its kind in New Zealand, will lease diagnostic tools directly to GP practices throughout the region to enable a fast response to worrying heart symptoms that would usually be referred to the hospital waiting list. Now, due to this innovative service, GP’s can apply a heart monitor to a patient at the first appointment and deliver the results within a few days, saving numerous trips to the hospital that will save the region’s healthcare system valuable resources and time.

Michael Maxim, Managing Director of Fast Pace Solutions said: “Our aim is to invest in a first-class Ambulatory Cardiac service that will help reduce hospital waiting lists and give symptomatic patients the chance to get an immediate diagnosis. Ideally the service will also be utilised by rural centers outside of New Plymouth to patients who often have to make a two hour round-trip to have monitors fitted at Base Hospital only to have to return them the next day.”

The service has been set up after discussions with/and the approval of local cardiologists and physicians, and will be available to the public through GP Practices who wish to invest in the service from early February 2016.

The first GP practice to get on board with this service is Carefirst on Tukapa Street and they will be offering this from February 2016. Until other practices can offer this service, GP’s can refer their patients directly to Carefirst or local Cardiologist, Dr Ternouth, for a Holter Monitor or Cardiac Event Recorder.

Doctor Ternouth, the region’s only Cardiologist doing any private practice said, “Being able to offer our patients this unique service will not only help ease the pressure on the public system that has a significant waiting list, but also help us to get a speedy diagnosis in someone suffering from a wide range of heart rhythm issues.”

Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death in NZ and it is estimated that of the 110,000 people in Taranaki, 41% in our community are at risk of heart disease during their lifetime and this is growing due to an aging population.

Michael continued: “We have set up a Facebook page to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease and educate the local community on simple lifestyle changes that should see these stats reduce in the future. We also urge patients who utilize this service to give feedback in order for us to continue to provide the best possible solutions for our community.”

FPS currently offers Holter Monitor and Cardiac Event Recorder services and plans to invest in other vital cardiac diagnostic tools as the business grows. To find out more contact your local GP practice or visit facebook.com/fastpacesolutions.

ENDS

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