HEALTH chiefs are set to pump new life into Blackpool Victoria Hospital's heart care facilities with the building of a new state-of-the-art cardiac unit.

The plans were unveiled this week as part of a 10-year blueprint for the development of cardiac services across the North West, with the Vic also being announced as the new centre for specialist heart services across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Management, staff and patients welcomed the news of the purpose-built unit which will be located at the back of the hospital alongside the maternity unit and is expected to be finished within three years.

Lesley Warrington, head of service planning for the hospital trust, said the decision to upgrade coronary services at The Vic meant existing facilities could be built on. She said: "Blackpool is the appropriate location because the facilities here are already well established, and moving to another location such as Preston would mean the unit would have to start from scratch."

"We believe it is important to give people in Lancashire and South Cumbria specialist treatment. Blackpool is priority as far as cardiac treatment goes.

"This is a big development programme. It is excellent news for the area. We will be able to treat twice as many people as we already treat.

"We will be spending £40 million more on heart services than we are now, but people have to realise that it will not be done overnight. It takes time to train staff." The unit will include four cardiac operating theatres, four cardiac catheter laboratories, a 20-bed intensive care unit, around 100 ward beds, an x-ray room and an out patients department and is expected to cost £29 million.

It will vastly improve services for heart patients in the Lancashire and South Cumbria region with twice as many people being treated for heart problems.

Patient Geoff Hamilton, 67, from Preston, had a triple by-pass on Tuesday, December 12 and left hospital this week, just six days after his operation.

He said: "It is absolutely sensational news that the Vic is to get this facility. The care I have received from the doctors and nurses here has been exemplary.

"They are very professional and calm -- first rate. I am happy for everybody who will use this new facility."

Russell Millner, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, added: "I think it reflects the enormous effort that has been put into the unit by everyone involved, including nurses, ancillary staff, secreatries, doctors and managers.

"The Trust would like to thank everyone who has campaigned and supported us throughout the review."

Pictured on the site of the new cardiac unit are, left to right, the hospital's chief executive David Gill, clinical director Russell Millner and deputy clinical director Anoop Chauhan.