ARRANGEMENTS to send North-East heart patients abroad for surgery have moved a step closer.

Hundreds of letters will soon go out to patients waiting for heart surgery explaining how the Government's plan to speed up operations will work.

As part of these arrangements the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough has appointed Louise Smyth, its first Patient Care Advisor.

Louise's role is to act as the patient's champion and ensure that everything goes smoothly from start to finish.

While it is hoped that it will reduce waiting times, patients who are very ill or need complex surgery may not be able to take advantage of the scheme.

From next month the scheme will go live, which means that heart patients in the region waiting for six months or more will be offered the chance to go to another NHS or private hospitals in the UK.

Because there is little spare capacity within British hospitals it is expected that most patients will be offered the chance to have their operation abroad.

Greece, Germany, Spain and Belgium have all been lined up as destinations for UK patients.

National heart director Roger Boyle has said he expects agreements to be finalised by the end of the month.

Dr Jim Hall, chief of cardiothoracic services at James Cook University Hospital, estimated that between 100 and 150 patients on the current 450-strong waiting list would probably qualify for the scheme.

"Unfortunately not all patients will be eligible for this option, due to their clinical condition. Some may actually choose to stay with their current hospital," he added.

Urgent patients will continue to be seen in a matter of days, weeks or months depending on their circumstances, said Dr Hall.

While the scheme is expected to free up some capacity at the hospital Dr Hall said the really significant improvement in waiting times should occur next April when the Middlesbrough hospital opens an extension to its heart unit.

Dr Hall said he was "optimistic" that the extra consultants and nurses needed to staff the expanded unit would be appointed in time.

Recently 10 Spanish nurses, who are expected to work in the heart unit, joined the hospital.