 
2001
Equipment Grant
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Cardiac arrhythmia is very unpredictable and sometimes has tragic outcomes in previously young and healthy individuals. Research in this field has the potential to make major differences to population and individual health.
My goal is to make sure that every individual has optimal access to the best treatment available for cardiac arrhythmia at an affordable cost to the community.
Dr James Leitch was brought up in the regional town of Armidale NSW and studied at Sydney University before beginning his residency and physician training at the Royal Newcastle Hospital. He is currently the Cardiology Director at John Hunter Hospital.
He was trained in cardiology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and in cardiac electrophysiology (heart rhythm disorders) in London, Ontario. Since 1991, Dr Leitch has worked in Newcastle at the John Hunter Hospital with a clinical academic appointment at the Newcastle University.
He has published over 150 peer reviewed articles and book chapters in the field of cardiac arrhythmia. He has also worked as a proctor for cardiac procedures in Myanmar, Vietnam, India and Taiwan and was involved in commencing the cardiac electrophysiologic program in Myanmar in 2004. Along with his colleagues, Dr Leitch has been instrumental in introducing cryoablation (ablation using cold temperatures) for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in Australia.
Dr Leitch’s future focus is improving access to high cost and specialised treatments of cardiac arrhythmia in rural and regional areas.
