Dr Sunthar Kanaganayagam is a Consultant Cardiologist who treats patients with chest pain, heart disease and valve disease at West Middlesex University Hospital and other local hospitals. With deep roots in the community and a strong commitment to advancing care, he shares why the new Diagnostic, Treatment and Education Centre is a game changer for local healthcare – and why it could make all the difference to your neighbours, your family, and perhaps even you.
Watch the video or read the interview below.
Dr Sunthar Kanaganayagam explains why the new Diagnostic, Treatment and Education Centre at West Middlesex University Hospital will make such a difference to the local community
Sunthar’s story (full version)
I was born at West Middlesex University Hospital and grew up in the local area. I did my work experience there, which contributed to my decision to study medicine. I left for university at 18, finished my medical degree and my cardiology training, and was thrilled when an opportunity came up to return to West Mid as a Consultant. It’s nice to be able to contribute to cardiology care locally.
Lots of my family members have always used West Middlesex Hospital, and because I work here they feel even closer to it. It really does feel like it’s part of our story. Whenever I’ve injured myself playing various sports, West Mid has always been where I’ve come. The staff are so friendly and kind, and as a patient that’s what you want from medical professionals. So I always try to live up to that expectation when I’m at work.
A new state-of-the-art centre at West Mid
The new Diagnostic, Treatment and Education Centre will be amazing. I had the opportunity to walk around it partway through the build, and it looks incredible.
Not only is it absolutely state of the art, but it feels spacious and welcoming. When you go to hospital to have scans, you’re probably feeling unwell. If you’re faced with a cold, sterile environment it’s not going to make you feel any better. On the other hand, if you’re surrounded by warmth and colour and light, it can make you feel more secure and more comfortable.
Creating a welcoming, calm environment for patients
At the moment, if a patient comes into hospital with chest pain, we can do some blood tests that help guide us, but they don’t necessarily provide a definitive diagnosis.
The new cardiac MRI scanner, which is being funded by CW+, can diagnose whether you’ve had a small heart attack that may not otherwise be apparent, which really is cutting edge – not to mention all the other diagnostics for cancer patients, and being able to do the types of scans needed to look at complex cancers. Having so many scanners will be a game changer – from my perspective, it will change how quickly I can diagnose heart disease, which is one of the biggest killers in the UK. And if we can diagnose faster, we can begin the right treatment sooner.
Reducing the travel burden for patients
For the patients we treat, this cutting-edge facility will mean enhanced diagnosis and care, closer to home. Right now, people are having to go outside of the local area and travel across London to get their scans done. That’s really difficult, especially if you’re ill or frail.
I vividly remember my elderly uncle telling me about trying to make it into hospital for a 9am appointment. It was so difficult for him – it would take him two hours to get ready, and then he would wait for the transport to come and pick him up. They would come at some really early hour in order to get him in for 9am. As doctors, we don’t see all of this – we’ll see a patient at 9am. But for the patient, turning up to their appointment on time has been a four-hour process.
Imagine having all of this 20 minutes down the road instead – it’s a game changer for the local population. As a local resident myself, I feel incredibly lucky. Such a huge investment in our area is amazing, especially when the NHS is under so much pressure.
Attracting the best staff
It also means more doctors will want to work here. Knowing that they can get things done quicker and approve better treatments, and potentially also do clinical trials here, is a big draw. If you’re trying to choose which hospital to work at and one of them has a brand-new state-of-the-art facility, it’s a bit of a no-brainer.
Help make a difference to local healthcare
If I wanted to try and encourage people to donate to help finish the building, I would say: please do it as quickly as you can! The quicker we get this building up and running, the faster we will be able to treat patients and get their health sorted.
Lots of people giving a small amount is just as powerful – if not more so – than just one person writing a big cheque. Think of it as helping your neighbour, or your mother or father who lives locally, to get their treatment quicker. There’s a lot that we can do if the funding is there. And just being able to get it over the line with that extra bit of local funding would be amazing.
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