Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic

The Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic (RACPC) is a new clinical service at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH). The service aims to provide patients with new onset chest pain, suggestive of angina, direct and timely access to expert assessment and investigation.

The clinic has been designed to provide a safe framework to which patients are referred following presentation to RPH (Emergency Department and/or Acute Medical Unit) or their GP.

We aim for patients to receive clinic review within one week of referral. The clinic review is completed by our chest pain team comprised of a specialist nurse and consultant cardiologist. If required, we aim to perform investigations within one week of clinic review. Investigations may include:

• exercise treadmill test
• CT coronary angiography
• myocardial perfusion scans
• stress echocardiography
• invasive coronary angiography.

Following clinic review, a clear management plan will be given to the patient and communicated to their referring physician and the patient's usual general practitioner (GP).

Important: Patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) should not be referred to this service. These patients should be managed according to existing ACS pathways, which will usually involve a referral for inpatient assessment.

GPs referring to the clinic can download the GP Referral Flowchart (PDF 556KB).

The Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic Patient Information Guide (PDF 282KB) is available for patients referred to the clinic.

For any questions or feedback regarding our service please email RPHRACPC@health.wa.gov.au.