Treatment times vary for heart patients

10:04am Wednesday 28th June 2006

Heart attack patients are being given potentially lifesaving drugs faster in some areas than others.

A report published by the Royal College of Physicians has found most hospitals in Surrey are making sure people receive a clotbusting drug within half an hour of arriving at hospital. The earlier the patient gets the drug, the greater their chance of survival.

East Surrey Hospital in Redhill exceeded the national target to ensure 75% of patients had the thrombolytic treatment they needed within half an hour of arriving at hospital. During 2005/6 the hospital ensured 79% of patients received the treatment within 30 minutes of arrival.

Hospitals should also aim to offer the treatment within 60 minutes of a patient calling for help. In this case East Surrey Hospital fell way below the national target of 68%, with only 44% of patients receiving "pre-hospital" treatment within an hour of calling a doctor or ambulance.

The hospital exceeded the average figures for the county. Across Surrey, hospitals managed to offer thrombolytic treatment to 63% of patients within half an hour of arrival but just 2% of patients received the treatment prior to being admitted within an hour of calling for help.

However the report did point out that some NHS organisations face specific challenges, especially in rural areas where journey times are longer or in cities where heavy traffic causes delays.

Swift treatment is often key to the survival of heart attack victims.

Thrombolytic drugs re-open blocked coronary arteries that cause heart attacks.