Key Information

Number of beds: 23

Basildon and Thurrock cardiology patients are cared for within James Mackenzie Ward which is separated into acute cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation.

One of the unique qualities of the ward is that we are able to admit our patients with cardiology problems and care for them from admission through to discharge, without the need to transfer them to another area. This gives patients the best possible continuity of care that we can provide.

At present, we have four consultant cardiologists Dr Aggarwal, Dr Phen, Dr Barbagallo and Dr Kabir. We also have Dr Iyer who is responsible for the cardiac patients with predominately medical problems on the ward.

The type of patients treated in James Mackenzie are patients presenting with Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) such as unstable angina, NSTEMI and post primary PCI transfers back from the CTC. The ward also admits patients with heart failure to either initiate or titrate their medications to improve their symptoms.

The average length of stay on the ward is 3 days

The ward employs several Cardiac Nurse Practitioners (CNP), the duties include:-

• Coordinating the ward,

• Provide advice and support to both junior Drs and nurses

• Caring for cardiac patients in the hospital,

• Clinical audits both local and national,

• Facilitating tests and investigations

• Electronic referrals to the CTC.

On every shift, a CNP is roistered supernumerary so that they can be bleeped as required to review patients with pre-existing cardiac problem or a new cardiac problem anywhere in the hospital.

The CNP will also visit AMU and A&E on a regular basis to check on the Symphony system and review those patients who are admitted with chest pain or patients who are referred by their GP with cardiology problems. They will review and triage the most appropriate patients to James McKenzie Ward under the management of the cardiology team.

James Mackenzie staff also provide a nurse led, day case, cardioversion service for out-patients; we are proud to have been the first in the country to start this service.

The ward has an outpatient cardioversion list on alternate weeks in Basildon day unit. There are plans to install the Symphony system in the ward; this will facilitate the CNPs in their role of managing the bed status and admitting cardiac patients more efficiently to the ward.

Meal Times 

Breakfast: 8am

Lunch: 11.45am - 1.00pm (Protected mealtime)

Supper: 5.30pm

Visiting Times

3pm - 5pm and 7pm - 9.30pm

Contact:

Senior Sister: Jackie Smith

Telephone number: 01268 524900 / 0845 155 3111 ext 3430

Location

Location: Level B, Basildon University Hospital