The Palaszczuk Government's $1.4 million paediatric cardiology service at Townsville Hospital is now operational.
Visiting Townsville Hospital today, Health Minister Yvette D'Ath met with some of the families who will benefit from the service.
"Townsville's new paediatric cardiology service will benefit more than 1,000 North Queensland children with heart conditions," the Minister said.
"The new service would make a world of difference for children and their parents.
"Previously paediatric cardiology services were delivered through a visiting cardiologist from Children's Health Queensland.
"By establishing these services locally, patients can now access ongoing clinical care and be within reach of their support networks.
"It is so important we continue to explore ways of improving continuity of care for all patients, no matter where they are located across our state."
The service is supported by a paediatric and fetal cardiologist, a registrar, two clinical nurse consultants, a cardiac scientist and a patient services officer who will provide care in the heart of North Queensland.
Townsville HHS chief executive Kieran Keyes said the launch of the service was a testament to the staff's dedication to bettering access to health care in the region.
"The commencement of the paediatric cardiology service is an outstanding outcome for the community," Mr Keyes said.
"Establishing a new service takes an immense amount of advocacy and planning and it's great to have all this work become tangible for our patients and their families."
Member for Mundingburra Les Walker said: ''This means these children can spend more time receiving care in their community and more time at home with their families."
