Pembrokeshire cardiac patients to benefit from £18,000 ECG machine grant

Cardiac patients across Pembrokeshire will soon experience faster access to essential diagnostic testing after the Welsh Government allocated £18,000 to purchase a new electrocardiogram (ECG) machine for the region’s health board.

The funding, confirmed by the Hywel Dda University Health Board, will see the equipment installed at the Prince Philip Hospital in Haverfordwest and at the community health centre in Narberth. Both sites currently rely on a single, ageing ECG unit that often requires patients to travel long distances or endure waiting times of up to several weeks for a test.

Health Board spokesperson Dr. Eleri Morgan explained that the new machine, a modern portable ECG device, will allow clinicians to record and analyse heart rhythms on the spot, reducing the need for referrals to larger hospitals in Swansea or Cardiff. “This investment directly improves patient pathways,” she said. “Patients with suspected arrhythmias, chest pain or other cardiac concerns can be assessed promptly, leading to quicker diagnosis and, where necessary, earlier treatment.”

Local NHS Wales officials highlighted that the grant forms part of a broader strategy to modernise cardiac services in rural Wales. The Welsh Government has pledged to increase funding for diagnostic equipment in underserved areas, aiming to close the health inequality gap between urban and coastal communities. The ECG machine, valued at £18,000, will be operational by the end of November, following staff training and integration with existing electronic health‑record systems.

Patient advocacy groups welcomed the development. Cymru Heart, a charity supporting people with heart conditions, noted that timely ECG testing can be life‑saving, particularly for those at risk of sudden cardiac events. “We are grateful that Pembrokeshire’s cardiac patients will no longer face unnecessary delays,” said charity chairperson Rhys Davies. The new device is expected to handle up to 30 tests per day, significantly easing the current backlog and enhancing overall cardiac care in the county.