St John of God Subiaco Hospital cath lab reopens following major upgrade

26 Aug 2024

A cath lab, formally known as a catheterisation laboratory, is an examination room which includes diagnostic imaging equipment that is used to visualise the heart’s arteries and chambers. It is where many cardiac and vascular conditions, such as coronary artery disease and blood clots, are diagnosed and treated.

As part of the upgrade, a new angiography machine was installed to provide medical specialists superior anatomical images, the lab’s electrophysiology system’s cables were run through the ceiling to introduce operational efficiencies and create a safer work environment, and general refurbishment works were undertaken.

St John of God Subiaco Hospital CEO Tina Chinery said the hospital is committed to ensuring patients, medical specialists and caregivers have access to the latest technologies and facilities.

“Continued investment in our services enables optimum patient outcomes and the provision of safe clinical care, which is always our highest priority,” she said.

“Over the years, St John of God Subiaco Hospital has become one of Western Australia’s leading providers of cardiac care and services and has developed a reputation for innovation excellence.

“In fact, we were one of the first hospitals in the state to introduce a cath lab in 1994. We were also one of the first facilities in WA to introduce transcatheter aortic valve implantation, a minimally invasive procedure performed in the cath lab which allows elderly patients with aortic stenosis to avoid traditional open heart surgery and benefit from less discomfort and a quicker recovery.”

The upgrade of Cath Lab 2 took eight weeks to complete. While the works were underway, the hospital’s second cath lab, known as Cath Lab 1, remained open to ensure procedures were uninterrupted. Cath Lab 1 will be upgraded in late 2025.

St John of God Subiaco Hospital Cardiology Head of Department Dr Paul Stobie added: “This is a very exciting time for all members of the hospital’s cardiovascular and cardiothoracic teams, and is the start of a major transformation.”

As part of St John of God Subiaco Hospital’s commitment to delivering leading cardiac care and services to the community, plans are progressing to introduce a state-of-the-art Heart Centre onsite. 

The dedicated Heart Centre will be housed within a new eight-storey clinical building, which will be constructed during the next stage of the hospital’s major redevelopment project which is currently underway.