A newchest pain clinic will be up and running at Clacton Hospital by the spring.

A successful bid was made for Government funding in an effort to speed up diagnosis and treatment for patients with suspected heart problems on a more local level.

Clacton will receive £131,000 for the facility, which includes £50,000 to set it up and £80,000 in revenue cash to operate the clinic.

Paul Unsworth, chief executive of the Tendring Primary Care Trust, said it was a major boost for people living in the district.

He said: "We sat down with all those involved and worked out the best way forward for people with suspected heart problems. A new rapid access clinic was identified as the best option and we made a bid which was accepted."

Mr Unsworth said the clinic would be run by Dr Vernon Bettle and supported by a cardiologist.

Those with a chest pain will be given specialist advice and diagnosis quickly and those who do not have a heart problem will be given prompt reassurance.

"It is all part of our efforts to provide more services locally and Clacton was seen as a suitable site," he added.

Mr Unsworth said equipment was being bought, nurses recruited and systems were being set up to support the facility.

A major expansion in rapid access chest pain clinics across the country was announced by Health Secretary Alan Milburn. Five new clinics will be established in the eastern region by next April with 12 other sites getting money to improve or adapt existing services.

Patients will be referred directly from GPs via telephone, fax or email. Those identified with heart problems can then be given priority through the system.

Those with acute pain will still be admitted to accident and emergency departments.

By Nigel Brown

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

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