Cardiology — South Canterbury

For non-urgent cardiology referrals, information and support, contact:

• Community (clinical nurse specialist) — phone 03 687 2318 (Monday to Friday 8am to 4:30pm)
• Timaru Hospital (clinical nurse specialist) — phone 03 697 4365

Community

18 Woollcombe Street
Timaru

Secondary care services

Timaru Hospital
Queen Street
Timaru

The Timaru Hospital doctor who provides cardiology care can provide referrals for investigations and treatments. Our hospital cardiology clinics also have Christchurch-based cardiologists who attend 3 times a month.

The cardiology clinical nurse specialist at Timaru Hospital provides inpatient education and cardiac rehabilitation programmes as well as nurse-led clinics alongside the visiting cardiologist.

Community cardiology

The community cardiology clinical nurse specialists work together with general practitioners and practice nurses. Our nurses run primary prevention screening programmes and assess and monitor people in their homes, and in all rural locations.

We schedule nurse-led clinics in Twizel and Waimate, including fortnightly clinics held at the local Māori healthcare provider.

The clinical nurse specialists also help deliver the multi-condition rehabilitation programme in various locations throughout South Canterbury.

All of our cardiology services work together with the medication investigation unit and cardiac imaging (echocardiogram, sonogram).

Services include:

• risk factor management
• symptom assessment and support
• care at home
• telephone advice
• psychological support and care
• whānau support
• advance care planning
• ongoing education to patients and other health professionals
• health promotion — working with Heart Foundation and other organisations.

You can contact our service directly or you can ask to be referred by your healthcare provider, hospital specialist or nurse.

We also take referrals from other hospitals, other health professionals and government and community agencies.