About our heart health service
The John Hunter Hospital Cardiology Unit (Cardiology Unit) has specialist cardiology clinics that treat adults and children with heart health conditions including:
- heart attacks
- heart failure
- pulmonary hypertension
- heart rhythm disturbances
- Aboriginal heart health services
- angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart)
- follow up clinics for pacemaker and implantable defibrillator devices.
The Cardiology Unit is the largest outside Sydney and has led major innovations in heart treatments in NSW and Australia.
We work closely with our heart surgeons and team to design the best treatment options for patients who need surgery.
Specialist cardiology units are available 24 hours a day and patients are cared for in our:
- Cardiovascular department
- Coronary Care Unit (Ward G3)
- Cardiac Catheter Laboratory.
In the Cardiac Catheter Laboratory, we perform inpatient and outpatient procedures including:
- Angiograms, angioplasty and stenting.
- Pacemaker and defibrillator implants.
- Innovative procedures for blocked arteries and treating the electrical system of the heart (EP studies, ablation).
We provide heart investigations, including:
- ECG (electrocardiograph)
- heart rhythm and blood pressure monitoring
- ultrasound for ECG, coronary CT (computerised tomography), and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
Referral and appointment enquiries
Patients will need a referral from their GP (General Practitioner) to access outpatient services.
Referrals are managed by a clinician who assigns the right specialist depending on clinical importance.
To request a referral or book an appointment contact the John Hunter Hospital Outpatient Contact Centre at (02) 4922 3912 from Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 4pm.
Our heart health services are also available via telehealth appointments.
Patients can contact the John Hunter Hospital Outpatient Contact Centre for further education, exercise and support to manage their heart condition.
Follow up and post hospital discharge appointments
Contact the Cardiology Unit office for:
| Doctor / Professor | Phone |
|---|---|
| Drs Wilsmore, Cooke, Davies, Hayes, Turner or Professor Graham | (02) 4922 3912 |
| Drs Bastian, Sverdlov, Hatton, Collins, Boyle | (02) 4921 4205 |
| Professor Fletcher | (02) 4922 3128 |
The cardiology specialty clinics are in the North block of the John Hunter Hospital Outpatient Service.
The clinic locations are:
| Cardiology clinic | Location |
|---|---|
| Cardiac Outpatient Rehabilitation Services | Level 1, North Block |
| Diagnostic Centre Outpatient Department | Level 2, North Block |
| Cardiac Outpatient Consulting Service | Level 2, North Block |
| Cardiovascular Department | Level 3, North Block |
| Cardiac Catheter Laboratory | Level 3, North Block |
| Coronary Care Unit (Ward G3) | Level 3, North Block |
About our lung health service
The Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine (Respiratory Medicine Clinic) is a comprehensive tertiary hospital unit.
It provides direct and consultative inpatient care, clinic services, and actively involved in respiratory health services across Hunter New England LHD.
The Respiratory Medicine Clinic has 16 inpatient beds in Ward F2 on Level 2, North block at John Hunter Hospital.
It provides clinic services for:
- Rapid Access Clinic (RAC)
- Adapt clinic
- Difficult Airways Clinic (DAC)
- Cystic Fibrosis services
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation program
- Newcastle Sleep Disorders Centre
- Tuberculosis services
- Pulmonary Function Laboratory
- Clinical research laboratory
- Interstitial Lung Disease
- Non-invasive vents.
The Respiratory Medicine Clinic also conducts a lung cancer clinic at the Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital and has outreach clinics in other parts of the LHD (Local Health District) including Cessnock, Muswellbrook, Maitland, Moree and Narrabri.
Newcastle Sleep Disorders Centre (NSDC)
The Newcastle Sleep Disorders Centre (the Centre) is a diagnostic laboratory that investigates sleep related breathing disorders such as sleep apnoea.
The Centre mainly functions as an outpatient service but also conducts overnight sleep studies and studies for non-acute non-invasive ventilation.
Pulmonary Function Laboratory
The Pulmonary Function Laboratory is in the Diagnostic Centre at John Hunter Hospital.
It conducts several routine and complex respiratory function tests, including:
- spirometry
- gas transfer
- lung volumes
- bronchial provocation testing
- cardiopulmonary exercise testing
- overnight oximetry monitoring
- altitude simulation testing.
Contact Hunter New England LHD
We welcome your questions, feedback, compliments, and information requests. Contact us, and we'll be happy to assist you. Your input is important to us.
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Virtual care appointments
Virtual care (telehealth) uses technology to offer patients and consumers a convenient way to connect with health professionals. Virtual care has many benefits for patients, carers and health professionals. Learn more about virtual care.
If you're unsure which waiting room to join in or need to speak with our telehealth support team, call (02) 4985 5400 from 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Join your virtual care appointment: