Cardiac Services Network
Co-Chairs: Peter Fletcher & Karen Lintern
Cardiac Services Network
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia and accounted for 38% of deaths in 2002. Cardiovascular disease is also the leading cause of disability for Australians and in 1993-94 it accounted for 12% of the total recurrent health expenditure. Many cardiovascular diseases are preventable and approximately 80% of the population have 3 or more modifiable risk factors such as smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet and being overweight. Despite improvements over the last few decades, the health and economic burden of cardiovascular disease exceeds that of any other condition.
The GMCT's Cardiac Services Network was established in 2002 and has the following objectives:
- To promote equitable access to high quality cardiac services for the population of Greater Metropolitan Sydney
- To promote equitable patient outcomes for patients needing cardiac services in Greater Metropolitan Sydney
- To provide advice to the Department of Health regarding the appropriate provision of defined cardiac services
The Cardiac Services Network has built strong collaborative relationships within to facilitate the building of successful relationships with the Clinical Excellence Commisssion, Institute of Medical Education and Training, and the NSW Department of Health.