RESIDENTS now have another option for overseas treatment of cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death on the island.

The Argus Group has partnered with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), one of the largest cardiac facilities in North America and a leader in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment of cardiovascular disease, as well as research and education.

The insurance company announced the partnership yesterday, as cardiologists from the famed heart centre arrived on the island for a brief meeting with local specialists.

"Heart disease is one of the major killers in Bermuda," explained Cindy Campbell of the Argus Group. "It's one of our most prominent illnesses in Bermuda and it's also one of the primary reasons that we send people off the island.

"Basically, what we're doing is giving people additional choice, enabling them access to one of the premier cardiac facilities in North America. It's an excellent addition to our already excellent network.

"We have a relationship with Johns Hopkins, we have a relationship with Lahey Clinic. This will be the first dedicated relationship with the Canadian healthcare system."

She said the partnership was impressive for several reasons.

The Heart Institute is highly-regarded ? as part of the University of Ottawa, it facilitates close integration and interaction between leading researchers, scientists, clinicians and other healthcare professionals, and it boasts the largest artificial heart programme in Canada.

As well, its partnership with the Argus Group provides an excellent option to residents who prefer treatment in a Canadian facility.

"We have lots of Canadians on the island," Mrs. Campbell said. "We have had clients who have asked to go into Canadian facilities because they're more comfortable with that, because they have family there, or they like the Canadian healthcare system. It gives access to a top-quality facility that is associated with the University of Ottawa ? one of the largest cardiac centres in North America. But our reason for selecting it primarily, is that it's an excellent facility.

"There are also additional benefits in going to Canada because of their fundamentally different structure in how their medical care is set up ? so there are benefits in terms of cost.

"We're just thrilled to get it into our network. It means residents have more choice. There has to be a bed available for a patient (to receive care) and this enlarges our facility of cardiac care units.

"We're making sure there are plenty of beds for Bermuda patients when they go away. If one hospital's full we have other excellent hospitals in the network."

Cardiologist Renee Hessian, cardiac surgeon Fraser Rubens and cardiac care co-ordinator Lorna Marie Bickerton met with physicians, social workers and representatives from the charity Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association (LCCA) as well as Tiina Kaigas, Chief of Staff at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, and Venetta Symonds, deputy chief executive officer of the Bermuda Hospitals Board.