Cardiology Unit

The Western Health Division of Cancer, Cardiology and Specialty Medicine provides a comprehensive suite of inpatient, clinic, and community-based care.

The Cardiology Unit provides inpatient and outpatient cardiac services and consists of:

1. Cardiac Care Unit (CCU)
2. Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (CCL)
3. Non-Interventional Cardiac Diagnostic Unit (CDS).

CCU is situated at both Footscray and Sunshine Hospital and cares for acutely unwell patients with acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmias, heart failure and patients requiring elective cardiac procedures.

CCL is situated at both Footscray and Sunshine Hospital and provides diagnostic, interventional and electrophysiology services for both inpatient and elective outpatients. The CCL provides 24-hour on-call services for urgent percutaneous coronary interventions.

The outpatient CDS operates from Sunshine Hospital and supports non-interventional diagnostic testing such as electrocardiograms, transthoracic echocardiograms, trans-oesophageal echocardiograms, cardiac stress tests and application of holter monitors. The service extends support to inpatient investigations and the CCL’s at both Footscray and Sunshine Hospital.

The Cardiology Unit at Footscray and Sunshine Hospital provides comprehensive services to patients with cardiovascular disease. Our services encompass diagnosis, intervention, and treatment tailored to meet the diverse needs of our patients.

Cardiology Specialist Clinic

The Cardiology specialist clinic is located at Footscray Hospital and cater for patients who require assessment and management of their cardiac conditions. GP and specialist referrals are accepted and triaged based on clinical need.

Heart Failure Specialist Clinic

The Heart Failure specialist clinic is located at Sunshine Hospital and cater for patients with the following confirmed diagnosis:

• Heart failure with Reduced Ejection fraction, <40% (HFrEF)
• Heart Failure with Mildly Reduced Ejection fraction, <50% (HFmrEF)
• Cardiomyopathies
• Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection fraction (HFpEF)

Electrophysiology Specialist Clinic

The Electrophysiology specialist clinic is located at Sunshine Hospital and cater for patients with heart rhythm disorders, including the management of cardiac devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators.

Cardiology for Children

Our children’s cardiology services are for infants and children up to 18 years of age, who require specialised assessment and management of cardiac conditions. The clinics are facilitated by Paediatric Cardiologists at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Sunshine Hospital. 

Cardiac Rehabilitation Services

Our specialised rehabilitation program centres are located at Sunshine and Williamstown Hospital, with the goal of helping people with heart disease learn more about their condition, how to manage it and reduce the risk of further problems in the future. 

Cardiology Research

The Cardiology Unit has collaborations with the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Victoria University and The Baker Heart Institute – to continue developing its research program in association with key areas of clinical service.

Cardiology Procedures

Balloon Valvuloplasty

Balloon Valvuloplasty [PDF, 413KB] is a procedure that widens the narrow valve and is performed on you if you have a condition called aortic stenosis.

Cardioversion

Cardioversion [PDF, 302KB] is a procedure used to convert irregular heart rhythms to a normal pattern. It is done by delivering an electrical shock to your heart under controlled conditions.

Coronary Angiogram

A Coronary Angiogram [PDF, 431KB] is a special x-ray of the arteries supplying blood to your heart. It will show the severity of any narrowing and assist in determining any ongoing treatment.

Coronary Angioplasty

A Coronary Angioplasty [PDF, 421KB] is a procedure to open narrowing in your coronary arteries using balloons and/or stents.

Intravascular Ultrasound

Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) [PDF, 407KB] is a medical imaging procedure, performed along with cardiac catheterization, using a miniature ultrasound probe on the tip of a wire to visualize the interior walls of your coronary arteries.

Myocardial Fractional Flow Reserve Study

The Myocardial Fractional Flow Reserve Study [PDF, 453KB] is an index that determines the severity of blood flow blockages in your coronary arteries. 

Pacemaker Generator Change

Your pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator generator is like any other battery and eventually needs to be replaced. Read more in our brochure Why do I need a Generator Change? [PDF, 342KB]

Permanent Pacemaker

Your doctor has recommended a pacemaker because there are signs that your heart is not beating fast enough or there is a problem with the normal electrical conduction. The Permanent Pacemaker is a small electronic device, which is designed to send a pulse to your heart to initiate a heartbeat at a programmed rate. Read more in our brochure What is a pacemaker? [PDF, 300KB] 

The Cardiology Unit serves both the inpatient and outpatient population.

Western Health services the population of the western suburbs of Victoria, managing the following Hospitals:

• Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s)
• Footscray Hospital
• Williamstown Hospital
• Bacchus Marsh Hospital
• Melton Regional Hospital

Name/Role: Fiona Groen, Nurse Unit Manager

Place: Sunshine Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 8345 1389

Name/Role: Don Ortega, Nurse Unit Manager

Place: Footscray Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 8345 6849

Name/Role: Jenny Lo, Nurse Unit Manager

Place: Sunshine Cardiac Care Unit

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 8345 6097

Name/Role: Lauren Matthews, Nurse Unit Manager

Place: Footscray Cardiac Care Unit

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 8345 7374

Name/Role: Chris Jenkins, Chief Cardiac Physiologist – CDS Manager

Place: Cardiac Diagnostics Unit

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 8395 9525