The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, is pleased to announce that the Keith Bautista Catheterisation Laboratory at the GHA is now operating on a 24/7 basis, providing immediate, life-saving cardiac intervention at any time of day or night.

Since transitioning to full 24/7 operation earlier this month, the Cath Lab has already treated patients suffering from major heart attacks as emergency procedures, reducing clinical risk and allowing patients to receive expert treatment locally without the delays associated with transfer abroad.

The Cath Lab provides emergency coronary angiograms and stent procedures and ensures that critical interventions can now take place very shortly after arrival at the A&E department. The service is supported by a team of highly trained cardiologists and clinical staff working with the latest technology to deliver gold-standard care in line with international best practice.

The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “I am very proud that the Keith Bautista Cath Lab is now operating on a 24/7 basis and that, already, lives have been saved. This new service means no more delays and no more cross-border transfers as a result of most cardiac emergencies. This is part of the GSLP Liberal Government’s continued policy on repatriating services back to Gibraltar for the benefit of our patients and their families. I would like to thank all those at the GHA who have been able to make this a reality in such a short period of time.”