A new chest pain clinic aimed at making a swifter diagnosis of heart disease will open at Clacton Hospital in February, it has been revealed.

Funded by Tendring Primary Care Trust, sessions will initially be held on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday evenings.

Peggy Smith, Tendring PCT's service development manager, said this was a major step forward in helping to reduce coronary problems and would be a great benefit for many residents.

"Many people suffer chest pains and the vast majority of them don't lead to heart attacks but that doesn't stop them worrying about the symptoms," she said.

"The clinic will be staffed by an experienced cardiac specialist GP and a clinical nurse specialist whose duties will include assisting the doctor as well as a wider role both in patient care and in educating primary care nurses and other agencies."

It will also involve managing and advising on risk factors for patients with known coronary heart disease.

Patients suffering from chest pain will be referred to the clinic by their own doctor in the first instance.

It is not designed for those with acute chest pains - who will still go to accident and emergency departments - but for those suspected of having angina.

Currently, patients can wait several months for an appointment with a cardiologist once they have seen their GP.

Those visiting the clinic will have the history of their symptoms reviewed. and, once their suitability has been assessed, they will be invited to take part in exercise tolerance testing.

The results of the test will be made known and arrangements made for follow-ups.

"A major benefit will be the ability to asses symptoms and take action more quickly than at present," said Mrs Smith.

By Nigel Brown

Reporter's e-mail: nigel_brown@thisisessex.co.uk

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