Health

HAREFIELD Hospital has 'categorically denied' rumours that its future could be as a designated military hospital.

Rumours had been abound that plans were being made behind the scenes for part of the hospital to become a base for soldiers returning injured from war.

AN ART exhibition will take place on Friday to raise funds for Harefield Hospital.

Some of the world's leading contemporary artists will see their work auctioned off, to raise funds for the famous heart hospital on Hill End Road, Harefield.

A CAMPAIGN group which saved the village's hospital is to disband after nine years of fighting for the cause.

Harefield Hospital came close to closure in the earlier part of this decade, when NHS chiefs announced Harefield Hospital, in Hill End Road, would be moving to Paddington.

NEARLY 900 runners plus many more spectators turned out to run the roads and countryside of Harefield.

The 28th Harefield Hospital Fun Run was a huge success with runners of all ages competing alongside numerous dog walkers.

IT IS the last chance for runners and fundraisers to sign up for the annual Harefield Hospital fun run.

So far a number of people have signed up for the run, which will raise money for new equipment for the Harefield and Royal Brompton Hospital.

A CARE home in the village is going Dutch- and have built an on-site restaurant to help residents and guests feel more at home.

Coppermill Care Home, in Summerhouse Lane, Harefield, is taking the lead of their Dutch manager Johan Neeskens, in applying a continental approach to make the home feel more like a community.

STAFF at Harefield Hospital's heart attack centre have been commended in a London-wide award which recognises innovation and excellent team work.

The awards, organised by NHS London in association with the King's Fund and the Evening Standard, were announced at the inaugural London Health 2008 conference at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.

Harefield's heart attack centre received a special judges' mention.

The heart attack centre was commended for its primary angioplasty service, where staff rapidly treat patients using a thin tube, called a catheter, and tiny balloon to unblock the coronary arteries.

A rigid metal support, called a stent, is left in place to restore blood flow. Speed is vital as the sooner the patient receives treatment,the less damage occurs to the heart.

Harefield Hospital has the shortest door to balloon time in the UK at just 23 minutes compared to a national average of 56 minutes.

Commenting on the team's commendation, Dr Miles Dalby,consultant cardiologist at Harefield Hospital said: "We're incredibly proud of Harefield's leading heart attack centre and delighted that we've been officially praised as a centre of excellence which delivers the fastest primary angioplasty treatment in the country. "