South Tyneside District Hospital has opened its £1.1m cardiology unit, which will save hundreds of people having to travel to Newcastle for treatment.
And generous Gazette readers have already even given it their seal of approval, by raising £18,000 to buy vital equipment.
They have responded magnificently since we teamed up with South Shields-based charity HeartCall to launch the Have A Heart appeal, to pay for four new electrocardiogram (ECG) machines for the ward.
Heart patients are now a bus ride away from some of the most up-to-date facilities in the region, where previously they had to travel to the Freeman Hospital for specialist treatment.
The unit was officially opened on Friday by HeartCall chairman Syd Nicholson and South Shields MP David Miliband, who were joined by dozens of staff and patients.
Senior cardiographer Joanne Duncan said the new facility was a welcome boost to patients.
She added: "It's a brand new department built specifically for all cardiology patients.
"All the outpatient areas are done here now, and we are doing really well from the service."
The new unit now offers a pacemaker check-up service, and two new rooms where ECG scans on
the valves of the heart can take place.
Ms Duncan added: "It's a very nice environment to work in, and we have just bought two new treadmills to help with patient exercise tests."
HeartCall chairman Syd Nicholson, who formed the charity in 1985 and has raised more than £500,000 since, said the unit has brought the hospital into the 21st century.
He added: "The new unit is beautiful and it makes me feel proud.
"I'm a great advocate of this hospital and its medical and management team."
n To make a donation to the Have A Heart appeal, send cheques to HeartCall, c/o South Tyneside District Hospital, Harton Lane, South Shields, NE34 0PL.


By CHRIS ROBINSON
christopher.robinson@northeast-press.co.uk