The regional service setup in 2007 for families in the west of Scotland, had humble beginnings in the 1990s.

It was then that Dr. Iain Findlay from the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley met cardiomyopathy expert Professor William McKenna, then at St. Georges Hospital in London. Professor McKenna asked him to see Scottish patients with cardiomyopathy and Dr. Findlay agreed.

Following the CMAs funding of the telemedicine service in the late 1990s, which allowed Dr. Findlay to talk online to cardiomyopathy experts in London, he began to see his own patients at an informal clinic in Paisley.

The clinic expanded unfunded to a fortnightly clinic at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow but it was unsustainable without further support.

Over the past five years, the CMA has provided, with some help from the  Robertson Trust, a total of £100,000 for a nurse specialist post, held by Joan Anusas, and administrative support. The clinics value became clear and subsequent funding came from the West of Scotland Regional Planning Group.

Today, around 30 new patients are seen each month, including families who have had a sudden unexplained death, and genetic testing is offered. Patients are seen by a cardiologist and a geneticist.

"The contribution made by the CMA in the development of the service is very significant," said Dr. Findlay.

New stories in cardiomyopathy care featured on the CMA website include:

Do babies help their mothers recover from cardiomyopathy?

Procedure might help some children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

New professional body for inherited heart conditions.

More stories about developments in care are in CMA News, our quarterly magazine for members.

The next issue is out in early January.

GLASGOW and West SUPPORT GROUP

We're a bit short of volunteer organisers to help out with the Glasgow based Support Group.

If you can give some voluntary time about once every so often, please get in touch with Support group Chairman - Bob McConnachie on 07710 789581 or email him at mess@talk21.com

You can help others by your experience.

INFORMATION DAY - GLASGOW

Saturday 28th April 2012

Top cardiomyopathy specialists as main speakers.

Further details to follow...