Caring for kids with Heart Disease

Each year we see thousands of children suspected of having some form of heart disease. We treat over 750 in-patients and provide over 7,000 out-patient appointments.

The care we offer requires considerable skill, training, and dedication. By working closely with a skilled team of researchers, our clinicians never stop learning, improving and developing better ways to save kids’ lives.

Diagnosis and treatment for our kids continues to improve. Prenatal diagnosis (before babies are born) has given us the opportunity to better understand the development of congenital heart disease in the fetus. This allows for improved planning of immediate postnatal care.

Innovations over the last few years include:

• Upgraded imaging of the heart in the fetus and babies, using 3D ultrasound images, ultra-fast computerised tomography (CT) and cardiovascular MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

• New expertise and techniques in surgery and treatment of kids with congenital heart disease.

• New expertise in cardiac catheterisation and treatment options that reduce the need for surgery for children with heart problems.

• Upgraded links with adult services caring for children with congenital heart disease.

• Detailed data collection and audit facilities to help us describe what we do, and to identify areas for improvement in the treatment of congenital heart disease.