About Us

For 26 years SA Heart has been at the forefront of advances in cardiology, delivering world class care to South Australians.

The commitment to being first choice in cardiology drives everything we do.

Pioneers of major cardiology advances in South Australia

• Dr Phillip Adams established the first 2D echo lab in Australia at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital and pioneered its use in both adult and paediatric cardiology.
• Dr Bronte Ayres was responsible for the introduction of transoesophageal echocardiography into Australia.
• Dr William Heddle has been a pioneer in the development of arrhythmia management.
• Dr Peter Waddy initiated programs in South Australia for the percutaneous treatment of adult congenital heart disease, performing trans catheter closures of atrial septal defects, patent foramena ovale and patent ductus arteriosa and using stents to treat aortic coarctation. He also initiated the first program of mitral balloon valvuloplasty for mitral stenosis for adult patients. In the field of coronary intervention he was responsible for complex stenting techniques for bifurcation lesions, expanding the range of patients suitable for percutaneous revascularization.
• Dr John Hii has been instrumental in setting up cardiac electrophysiology services at both the QEH and Ashford Hospital. These have taken the form of performing diagnostic electrophysiological studies especially for patients with unexplained syncope and palpitations, implanting permanent pacemakers for patients  with conduction disease, defibrillators for patients who had been resuscitated from cardiac arrests and those judged at risk from life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
• SA Heart played a major role in the establishment of private cardiac surgery, and as such was the first private group to be associated with the care of cardiac surgical patients at the Ashford Hospital.
• SA Heart pioneered the use of 3D echocardiography in private practice in Adelaide.

Up to date with the latest cardiac developments

• Our cardiologists are at the forefront of the latest knowledge in cardiology, attending or speaking at national and international conferences, as well as contributing to published research on the world stage.
• SA Heart is active in cardiovascular clinical research trials.
• We are establishing SA Heart Education and Research to promote the advancement of cardiac education and research.
• We provide the full range of diagnostic tests and interventional procedures.
• We are the only private practice in Adelaide to have four cardiologists who have completed advanced, level 2 training for reporting CT coronary angiograms.
• We have three electrophysiologists to cover the full spectrum of EP procedures.

An accessible and collaborative team of 18 cardiologists

• Patients referred for ongoing treatment have their continuity of care optimised through their cardiologist becoming familiar with their circumstances, rather than being attended to by a series of different doctors.
• We guarantee same or next day appointments for urgent cases in accordance with the referring doctor’s assessment of priority.
• Our cardiologists cover the range of sub specialties and their combined expertise is available to every patient, particularly easing patient stress in complex cases.
• We have the largest number of cardiac clinics in metro Adelaide, providing maximum accessibility for patients.
• We also maintain clinics in the Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula and in major regional centres.
• We are a vital resource for the rapid access chest pain clinics at Flinders Private Hospital and the Ashford Hospital.
• We have cardiologists on call 24/7/365.

Rapid access to electronic patient records

• Our cardiologists can access their patients’ confidential records at every SA Heart clinic, in hospitals and at home, 24 hours a day.
• Our award winning purpose built communication network ensures that there are no delays in accessing hard copy records when time is critical in treating patients.
• Instant access to patient records also makes for exceptional after hours care.

The best diagnostic equipment

• Our record of innovation extends to having the latest diagnostic equipment.  For example, we were one of the first to invest in three dimensional echocardiography machines.
• We have highly trained staff to support the cardiologists in the use of our diagnostic equipment.
• We also have access to the latest coronary angiography labs, CT and MRI scanners and X-ray facilities.

Friendly and highly trained staff

• We recruit staff who are passionate about patient welfare and who will treat every patient as if they were family.
• We have a national reputation for the training of echocardiographers.
• Staff at all levels are encouraged to develop their skills through subsidised formal qualifications and attendances at seminars and conferences.
• The result is low staff turnover, high levels of job engagement, with patients and referring practitioners reaping the rewards of access to a skilled and motivated team.
• Patient Charter

A strong network of all complementary medical specialties

• We draw on close professional relationships to access the expertise of an experienced team of cardiothoracic surgeons and all the other medical specialties which can become involved in a patient’s treatment. 
• A consulting dietitian provides in rooms dietary advice including obesity and diabetes management.

Comprehensive private and public hospital links

• We admit patients to the Flinders Private Hospital, Ashford Hospital and Calvary Wakefield Hospital.
• We are the only private practice with cardiologists at all four teaching hospitals.

Five metropolitan flagship clinics plus semi rural and regional clinics

• We have flagship, full time and full service clinics at:
  • Ashford
  • Flinders
  • Noarlunga
  • North Adelaide
  • Norwood
    (We provide some after hours and Saturday appointments)
• There are outer metropolitan clinics at:
  • Craigmore
  • Glenelg
  • St Agnes
  • Woodville
• Regional clinics may be found at:
  • Berri
  • Mount Barker
  • Mount Gambier
  • Port Lincoln
  • Strathalbyn
  • Victor Harbor