Diagnosis across the region
We are the paediatric cardiac unit serving children with heart
disease in both the South West of England and South Wales. Bristol
is the closest unit to both areas, and has excellent motorway and
other transport links. However, the geography of the region means
that patients could travel for hours by road to see a
consultant.
That is why we have developed a 'hub and spoke' model for
diagnosis and other aspects of care. University Hospitals Bristol
is the hub, providing services for referring hospitals from
Cornwall to Gloucestershire. Clinicians at these hospitals are in
daily and, if needs be, hourly contact with Bristol. We also run
peripheral clinics in Truro, Plymouth, Torbay, Exeter, Barnstaple,
Taunton, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Bath and Swindon, which specialist
paediatric cardiologists from the unit attend at least once a
month.
We work closely with four consultant paediatric cardiologist
colleagues at University Hospital Wales, who refer patients to
Bristol from South Wales.
Retrieval service
Our retrievals service can dispatch a team of paediatric
specialists to anywhere in the region within 45 minutes, at any
time of day or night, seven days a week.
On average, one child a day is retrieved to the unit for
treatment where necessary, with a specialist consultant on
hand.
