THE cardiac centre at Kendal's Westmorland General Hospital has launched a new service this week to fit defibrillators in patients with life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities.

The devices deliver therapy, such as a shock, to people suffering a cardiac arrest.

It is hoped to fit defibrillators to 165 patients by 2024. Patients are referred to the cardiac centre by their GP.

The University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust said the benefits of the new service would include:

- reduced travel time, as patients previously had to travel to the Lancashire Cardiac Centre in Blackpool, or to hospitals in Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle

- easier access to treatments locally as well as local follow-up appointments in Kendal, Lancaster and Barrow

- continuity of care provided by local clinicians who may have been treating patients for some time.

Dr David Walker, the trust's medical director, said: "I’m delighted this new service has launched to people living in south Cumbria and north Lancashire. The service will help to improve patient experience and prevent them from having to travel massive distances to hospitals further afield and will ensure that they have easy access to this type of therapy.”

Consultant cardiologist Adrian Brodison added: "As well as many benefits to patients, there will be many benefits for staff. They will be able to

use skills that they have already learnt and other staff will be able to undergo training in this area.”

Thousands of patients every year are seen by the cardiology service, including people with heart failure and damaged hearts, and those who have had a cardiac arrest and been resuscitated or have other cardiac diseases.

The new implant service will run up to three days per week with follow-up services running five days a week and emergency cover at weekends.