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National Heart Experts Support Ashford and St Peter’s
Written by Communications Team   

International pioneer in heart and lung transplantation and one of the world’s pre-eminent cardiac surgeons, Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, came to Surrey recently to open the Atrial Fibrillation Conference for Surrey clinicians, which was hosted by Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Held at the Oatlands Park Hotel and Conference Centre in Weybridge, the event was organized and chaired by Consultant Cardiologist and Arrhythmia Specialist Dr Riyaz A. Kaba, with Professor John Camm from St George’s Hospital. Also part of the organising committee were Dr Isaac John, Claire Atkinson, Freda Gomes and Ana Glennon from Ashford and St Peter’s.



Trust Chairman Aileen McLeish (4th from right) with Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub (3rd from right) joined by speakers at the AF conference and Dr Riyaz Kaba (right).


Talking about the success of the day Dr Kaba said: “We were thrilled and delighted to welcome Professor Yacoub to open our conference this year. His presence, as well as a number of other national experts, helps put our services on the map. It was wonderful to see that so many people were interested in the meeting and the feedback was overwhelming. These conferences play an important role in developing the relationship between local hospitals and our GP colleagues who have an important role in the early diagnosis, treatment and referral of heart abnormalities.”

During the course of the day more than 150 professionals - mainly GPs, Academics, Consultants and Nurses from Surrey and surrounding areas - heard a series of informative and educational presentations on the prevention, detection and treatment of atrial fibrillation (the most common type of heartbeat abnormality), which affects around a million patients in the UK.

Trust Chairman, Aileen McLeish, said the conference demonstrated the power of working together - in the community and across the acute sector - to provide the very best care for patients.