Foetal cardiology
Expertise: Largest UK foetal cardiology service with five specialist cardiologists. Prenatal ultrasound scans from as early as 12 weeks. Prenatal intervention (e.g. to open heart valves) undertaken in limited number of cases.
Additional information: Continuity of care from pregnancy to birth and beyond, with close links to obstetrics units. Trust specialists lecture worldwide on prenatal screening for heart disease. Specialists also involved in worldwide research projects.
Paediatric cardiac surgery and cardiology
Expertise: Full range of diagnostic and surgical interventions and cardiological catheter interventions (including various types of ‘holes in the heart’). Diagnostic cardiac catheterisation. Paediatric intensive care unit for medical and post-operative care. Paediatric cardiac murmur clinic for diagnosis and treatment.
Additional information: Children cared for by dedicated paediatric nurses with support from cardiac nurse specialists. Paediatric services were given the highest possible rating by the UK Government’s Healthcare Commission.
Electrophysiology
Expertise: Largest national referral centre for children with heart rhythm problems: full range of transcatheter and pacing interventions undertaken.
Additional information: More paediatric electrophysiology procedures undertaken than any other healthcare organisation in the UK. Specialist clinics for certain problems, including Brugada syndrome.
Respiratory medicine
Expertise: All types of paediatric respiratory conditions diagnosed and treated from congenital lung malformation to habit coughs. Specialist diagnostic tests including flexible bronchoscopy, high resolution CT scanning, lung function measurements, sweat testing and exercise capacity measurements, sleep studies, gastro-osesophageal reflux and immunology and allergy tests. Services include non-invasive ventilation and diagnosis and treatment of primary ciliary dyskinesia.
Additional information: Leading centre in Europe for the treatment of paediatric cystic fi brosis, one of a small number of centres to provide domiciliary ventilation support. Specialise in difficult asthma cases and empyema management.
