Patients will be able to access an extensive range of specialist cardiovascular and thoracic care when the new service opens in the second half of 2021.

Both public and private patients will benefit under the partnership between the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and Wollongong Private Hospital.

It will mean local patients will be able to receive treatment closer to home rather than being transferred to Sydney.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a team of some of the state's best cardiothoracic surgeons, anaesthetists, intensivists and cardiologists will join nursing and support staff to provide the Illawarra community with world class cardiothoracic care.

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"The Local Health District has partnered with Wollongong Private Hospital to provide a top quality service to local cardiothoracic patients so they will no longer have to travel to Sydney for treatment," Mr Hazzard said.

Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of organs inside the thoracic cavity - generally treatment of conditions of the heart (heart disease) and lungs (lung disease).

The new, integrated service will be provided at both the public Wollongong Hospital, and at Wollongong Private Hospital, with recruitment beginning shortly.

ISLHD Chief Executive, Margot Mains, said many public and private cardiothoracic patients requiring a complex level of care will no longer need to be transferred to Sydney hospitals to receive treatment.

"The district is absolutely delighted to team up with our colleagues at Wollongong Private to provide extensive cardiothoracic services staffed by top specialists, right here in the Illawarra," Ms Mains said.

ISLHD Board Chair, Professor Denis King said cardiovascular disease will continue to be a major health issue for the Illawarra Shoalhaven community into the future, particularly as the population ages.

"This service will enable the LHD to further develop interventional cardiology services so more people will have access to preventative treatments for cardiovascular disease," he said.

"It also means the district will be able to attract even more highly specialised health professionals to our region."

Wollongong Private Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Steven Rajcany, said "we are always looking for ways to improve the quality of life for those in our community, which is why we are excited about this collaboration between public and private healthcare sectors in the Illawarra."

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