DOCTORS specialising in treating people with chest pains will hear in the next week whether the Government is to provide £100,000 to slash patient waiting times in South Durham.

South Durham Health Care NHS Trust has applied for the cash to create a specialised urgent chest pain service.

The clinic, which would cover both Darlington Memorial and Bishop Auckland General hospitals, aims to reduce dramatically the waiting times for cardiac patients, from between ten and 13 weeks to three days.

It would build on the success of a one-stop chest pain service based at Darlington Memorial Hospital, which offers assessment in a day without unnecessary follow-up appointments.

The bid was submitted in light of the Government's aim for hospitals to achieve a two- week target time for chest pain assessment.

John Saxby, chief executive of the South Durham NHS Trust, said it was confident the outcome would be successful.

"Part of this is to try to stop people taking up hospital beds by reducing the number who are just waiting for tests," he said.

"The waiting time for query chest pains is longer than we would like it to be. We believe we can get that down to three days. We are hoping to hear by the end of this month whether we have been successful, but we are quite confident."

The trust hopes to appoint a second cardiologist next month to be one of two leading the urgent chest pain service.

They would be supported by a staff grade doctor, who will help to free-up consultant time for more assessments. There would also be a specialist cardiology nurse and technician support for electrocardiograph (ECG) and exercise testing. Nurse-led risk factor assessment and lifestyle advice will also be given.

The clinic would operate five days a week and alternate between the two hospitals.

The service would enable some tests to be performed immediately, including ECGs, exercise testing, x-rays and pathology. Those with specific complaints, including coronary heart disease and unstable angina, will be treated in the usual way.

The service will be welcomed at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, where the cardiology post has been vacant for more than two years. If successful, it is expected to be in operation by next January.

echoay night she and