Southern Cross Developers was appointed after a tender process to construct the health service’s cardiac catheter lab, with work due to start on May 29.

Architects Jovaras Westland Partnership are leading the project, to be built at the eastern end of Albury hospital to integrate with existing theatre facilities. Albury Wodonga Health said services would not be interrupted during the construction phase.

The cardiac catheter lab is a collaborative project between Albury Wodonga Health and St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne.

Albury Wodonga Health chief executive Leigh McJames said following a memorandum of understanding, the Border health service would initially provide cardiac angiography services and limited interventional procedures, with services developed over time.

“Through collaboration with St Vincent’s we will provide more complicated and complex procedures including vascular work,” he said.

St Vincent’s chief executive Susan O’Neill said St Vincent’s was delighted to collaborate with Albury Wodonga Health on the project.

“For many years St Vincent’s has been providing cardiac services to regional Victorians, this facility will further enhance our patient care,” she said.

The new facility will have two laboratory spaces, with the first due to be operational by mid-2018.

Albury Wodonga Health said the second laboratory had been included in the building design to allow for future requirements.