Course description
This course provides a quality assured qualification and is appropriate for a range of healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with congenital heart disease.
It aims to provide learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage the care of a patient with congenital heart disease throughout their lifetime, allowing healthcare professionals to develop vital skills and knowledge to manage the care of patients with complex anatomy and physiology.
Course dates for 2025
We are currently arranging dates for 2025 – you can register your interest using our enquiries form at the bottom of the page and we will contact you as soon as these are available.
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to provide learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage the care of a patient with congenital heart disease (CHD) across the lifespan.
At the end of the course delegates will be able to:
- Understand the physiology of the normal heart and developing fetus in utero alongside the anatomy and physiology of common basic CHD lesions
- Recognise the complexities and pathway for diagnostic fetal imaging, interventional cardiology, the expected outcomes and approach to counselling
- Recognise normal ECG and common arrhythmias in CHD and the range of cardiac imaging approaches in the diagnosis and ongoing management including staged surgical options
- Understand the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension with associated CHD
- Learn the principles of ventilating the sick heart and gain knowledge of the process of transportation and the importance of preparation and communication
- Understand the common pharmacological strategies and complex nutritional requirements throughout a CHD patient’s life
- Gain knowledge and understanding of advance, complex pathways for transplantation, extracorporeal life support and fontan surveillance
- Navigate ethical dilemmas and difficult and challenging conversations, transition into adult services, the psychological impact on health and wellbeing for the patient and their family and end of life care.
Introduction
The Freeman Hospital is a recognised centre of expertise in managing neonates, children and adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) and life-threatening heart failure. In addition, we deliver advanced heart failure treatments (mechanical support and transplant) for the whole of the UK.
Both paediatric and adult congenital heart patients currently receive specialist surgical, intensive and medical care in Newcastle and our results for congenital heart surgery are among the best in the UK.
Fetal, paediatric and adult congenital cardiology is a rapidly developing field of medicine and as the network’s regional Level 1 Centre our experts are proud to offer a five-day course culminating in the provision of a Certificate of Achievement in Improving Clinical Practice in Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).
Course Lead
Kaye Walsh is Lead Nurse for the North East North Cumbria Congenital Heart Disease Network (NENC CHDN) with over 20 years’ experience in the field of paediatric nursing, specifically in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery having worked in specialist centres in Dublin and Newcastle as well as over 10 years of experience in clinical education.
Kaye is passionate about ensuring colleagues are supported to kept abreast of the very latest clinical practice and guidelines, and is delighted to bring together an array of clinical experts in this field to share their knowledge with colleagues across our national CHD networks.
Audience
This course is appropriate for range of healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).
Venue
Freeman Hospital Education CentreFreeman Road
High Heaton
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE7 7DN
Contact us
If you are interested in finding out more about this course then get in touch with the Newcastle Clinical Skills Academy team: