A senior cardiologist has defended proposed changes to a hospital’s cardiology services.

Professor Nik Patel, senior cardiologist and cardiovascular lead at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said plans to move complex cardiology care from The Conquest and “consolidate” it at Eastbourne District Hospital will improve patients’ outcomes.

It comes after councillor Paul Barnett, leader of Hastings Borough Council, said the removal of cardiac surgery from the hospital in St Leonards would be “very harmful” for patients.

Last month he wrote to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay MP to review the proposals.

Prof Patel said the changes would bring cardiac services in line with national guidance and that the majority of patients would see an improvement in their care.

 “The overwhelming majority of cardiology service patients – 97 per cent, around 50,000 per year - would not see any change to where their care is delivered under the proposals but will see improvements to the care they receive,” he said.

“Among the proposed changes is the strengthening of the cardiac service at both Conquest Hospital and Eastbourne DGH through the introduction of new cardiac response teams.

“These teams at both hospitals would ensure faster diagnosis, shorten outpatient waiting times, reduce the number of appointments patients need to attend, and lower the length of stay in hospital. This would be a significant improvement to the cardiac care that the people of East Sussex receive.

"Part of the proposals involves consolidating the most complex interventional cardiology care at Eastbourne DGH. By consolidating services on this one site, we can improve patient outcomes and build a sustainable service, as well as promote staff recruitment and development. This aspect of the service is required by just three per cent of cardiology patients (1,500 per year).

“As a cardiologist who cares deeply about my patients I am proud of the service that our team at the trust provide.

“We feel very strongly that these proposals would deliver significant improvements to the care that we provide to our patients, and would ensure that East Sussex has a premier service that will be at the forefront of cardiology for many years ahead.”