G12 Evaluation of paediatric cardiology services in local children’s cardiac centres (level 3) in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Background The NHS ‘Safe and Sustainable’ programme for children’s congenital heart services in the UK has put significant emphasis on providing high quality services near home whenever possible, and Local Children’s Cardiac Centres remain at the heart of this model. Data on the services provided by these centres have not been collected since 2014 and consequently their current practice is unknown. Aims To evaluate the paediatric cardiology services currently provided by Local Children’s Cardiac Centres in the UK, specifically looking at: The availability of Paediatricians with Expertise in Cardiology (PECs) The frequency of PEC–led clinics, and of outreach clinics led by a visiting paediatric cardiologist from a specialist centre Methods An online survey was sent to members of the Paediatricians with Expertise in Cardiology Special Interest Group (PECSIG) and to contacts obtained via paediatric secretaries at Local Children’s Cardiac Centres. Responses from hospitals that were not in the UK and from level 1 or 2 centres were excluded. Results 92 responding hospitals met the inclusion criteria. The majority of these (92%, 85/92) had at least one employed PEC. Multiple PECs were present at 42% (39/92) of hospitals. Of the 85 hospitals with PEC availability, 98% (83/85) held regular PEC-led clinics. Most (78%, 66/85) had 1 or more per week. 1% (1/85) held fewer than 1 per month and 2% (2/85) held no such clinics. Outreach clinics led by paediatric cardiologists from specialist centres took place in 92% (85/92) of the responding hospitals. In 85% (72/85) of these hospitals, these clinics occurred at least once per month on average. In the remaining hospitals with outreach clinics, frequency ranged from 4 to 10 times per year. 8% (7/92) had no outreach clinics. Conclusion Most surveyed hospitals have established level 3 paediatric cardiology services provided by PECs, who lead local cardiac clinics. Over 90% of the hospitals have outreach clinics led by paediatric cardiologists from specialist centres. However, there remains a significant variation in the clinical services provided across different Local Children’s Cardiac Centres.