Heart Surgeon Group

15/10/2026

Heart surgery is never the work of one person.

Every operation is supported by a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, including surgeons, anaesthetists, perfusionists, theatre nurses, intensive care specialists and allied health professionals.

Each person brings specialist knowledge to planning, monitoring, treatment and recovery. Clear communication and shared decision-making help the team anticipate risk and respond to each patient’s needs.

Ahead of World Anaesthesia Day, Heart Surgeon Group acknowledges the expertise and care of the professionals who work alongside us to support patients throughout their surgical journey.

13/10/2026

Blood clots can affect anyone, but understanding your individual risk can help you take appropriate action.

On World Thrombosis Day, we are highlighting the importance of recognising risk factors, staying mobile when it is safe to do so and following personalised clinical advice before and after surgery.

Symptoms of a blood clot can vary. Seek urgent medical advice if you develop concerning symptoms, and call 111 in an emergency.

If you are preparing for heart surgery, your clinical team will discuss clot prevention, medicines and safe movement as part of your individual care plan.

08/10/2026

Will I receive updates about my patient?
Yes. You’ll receive confirmation once the referral is received, and a summary letter after each consultation and any surgeries required. We maintain direct communication for ongoing shared care and all reviews.

06/10/2026

A clear referral helps our team review your patient promptly.

When referring to Heart Surgeon Group, please include:
● the clinical question or reason for referral
● relevant medical and surgical history
● recent investigation reports
● the patient’s current contact information

If you are unsure whether a patient needs a cardiothoracic surgical opinion, you are welcome to contact HSG to discuss the referral pathway.

01/10/2026

Learning does not stop when you become a specialist.

During his 2026 sabbatical, Professor David McCormack will visit colleagues and centres in England, Wales, Ireland, the United States of America, Japan, Korea, China and Hong Kong.

His focus will be on developments across cardiothoracic surgery and the wider systems that support excellent patient care. The opportunity to observe different approaches, exchange ideas and build international relationships is an important part of professional growth.

Heart Surgeon Group supports ongoing learning across our team. We look forward to David returning to New Zealand with fresh perspectives and practical insights that can contribute to care here at home.

Follow HSG for updates and insights from David’s international learning journey.

28/09/2026

It’s World Heart Day!

Your heart deserves care, and today is the perfect day to take action.

Simple steps to protect your heart:

Move more: even a walk counts
Eat heart-smart: fruits, veggies, whole grains
Know your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol
Manage stress: take a moment for yourself
Avoid smoking & limit alcohol

Small steps today = a healthier heart tomorrow.

Take one action for your heart today. Your future self will thank you!

24/09/2026

Telehealth for heart care – bringing expertise closer to you 💚

At Heart Surgeon Group, we understand that not everyone lives close to specialist services. That’s why we are proud to offer telehealth consultations, making expert cardiac surgical care more accessible for patients in rural and remote communities across New Zealand.

Through secure video consultations, patients can:

o Connect directly with our heart surgeons from the comfort of home
o Discuss symptoms, treatment options and next steps

Our commitment is simple: to provide safe, skilled, and compassionate care, no matter where you are.

Learn more about our services: www.heartsurgeon.co.nz

22/09/2026

When you refer a patient for a cardiothoracic surgical opinion, a timely response matters.

All Heart Surgeon Group referrals are triaged within one working day by the administration team and within 48 hours by a surgeon.

This process helps ensure the clinical question is reviewed promptly, the appropriate next step is identified and both the patient and referrer receive clear guidance.
Referrals are welcome for new patients, second opinions and complex cardiothoracic cases.

18/09/2026

What happens after heart surgery deserves as much attention as the operation itself. Research led by Prof. Nish*th Patel at Waikato Hospital, featured in the Waikato Times, found that 34% of rheumatic heart disease patients surveyed had not seen a medical practitioner since surgery, while 47% had not seen a dentist.

These findings highlight gaps in ongoing care and support the team’s call for better patient education, stronger follow-up pathways and access to dental care.

We’re very proud to have Nish*th as part of Heart Surgeon Group and to support his commitment to improving care through research.

Congratulations to Nish*th and the research team on this important work!

Read the article here: https://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/nz-news/361081259/duty-care-waikato-research-tackles-third-world-heart-condition

One in three rheumatic heart disease patients at Waikato Hospital are lost to follow-up after surgery, and Nish*th Patel is keen to change that.

17/09/2026

Safe care is built into every step of the patient journey.

On World Patient Safety Day, Heart Surgeon Group recognises the many people and processes that support safe cardiac care, from careful assessment and multidisciplinary planning to clear communication, surgical checks, recovery and follow-up.

For people living with noncommunicable conditions such as cardiovascular disease, safety also means coordinated, continuous care. Patients, whānau, referrers and the wider hospital team all play an important role.

We remain committed to listening carefully, communicating clearly and working together to support every patient before, during and after heart surgery.