The first patients have benefited from advanced new heart treatment and diagnostics at West Middlesex Hospital .
The hospital in Twickenham Road, Isleworth , has expanded its cardiology service so people need no longer travel to specialist centres farther afield for more complex procedures.
The first patient to benefit was Paul Kalyan, from Norwood Green , who underwent an angiogram at the hospital last Friday (September 23).
The procedure to search for blockages inside the heart would previously have been carried out at a specialist centre in central London.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Kalyan, who worked at Heathrow before retiring, said: "I feel like a VIP today! The service from everyone today has been faultless. I really can't praise the team here enough.
'I feel like a VIP today!'
"I was very nervous arriving here this morning but have been made to feel comfortable and put at ease.
"I would love to volunteer at the hospital so that I can give something back and as soon as I feel well enough I will be coming in to find out how I can help.”
Heather Lawson, who required an angiogram following a heart attack, was the second patient to experience the new service.
"In June I came into A&E with symptoms of a tightening of the chest. I fully expected to be going back home later that day but was told I had had a heart attack and would need to be admitted for further investigation," she said.
"At that time it meant being transferred to High Wycombe for an angiogram which was a long way to travel and afterwards I was too exhausted to go straight home.
"Being able to have this done at my local hospital now makes a big difference and I have really been well looked after."
