A regional newspaper has won its battle to secure a specialist heart centre for Suffolk.

The Ipswich Star had been fighting for the installation of emergency heart surgery facilities for Ipswich Hospital for almost three years after Suffolk was ‘abandoned’ by an NHS shake-up.

Centres in Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, Papworth Hospital and Basildon were all given the go-ahead, meaning the nearest centre to Suffolk would be at least an hour away.

The campaign, which gained support from Ipswich MP Ben Gummer, patient groups, clinicians and the public, has resulted in funding for an elective emergency heart care unit at the hospital being granted.

After a front page story ran, under the headline ‘Why the Delay?’,  NHS Midlands and East revealed that £5 million had been found from Government funds to secure the unit.

Star editor Nigel Pickover said: “It is a great day for campaigning journalism. We have helped win a huge battle for heart patients in Ipswich and east Suffolk.

The Ipswich Star has helped secure a heart unit for Suffolk

“It has been a dogged fight but our heart campaign has been victorious to the first stage. Now our fight for full emergency facilities – as in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Essex, goes on.”

Ipswich Hospital medical director Peter Donaldson also praised the Star’s campaign.

He said: “I would like, on behalf of everybody, patients and the hospital to thank the Star for their media campaign which has been very beneficial.”

Ben Gummer added: “The Star has successfully reminded the SHA over the last few weeks of the need for them to take action.

“It shows what we can do when we stand up and fight rather than just accept a decision because the powers that be say so.”