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Address:
Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital
Crumlin,
Dublin 12,
Ireland
Phone:
01 4096100
Web Address:
http://www.olchc.ie/
Dublin - Our Lady's Children's Hospital (Profile)
The Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery work as a unit for the diagnosis and treatment of all aspects pf paediatric heart and lung disease for the Republic of Ireland. These two large departments (cardiology and cardiac surgery) work hand in hand to provide a patient and family centred service for infants and children with heart disease. The unit benchmarks itself against the highest international medical and ethical standards and is regarded as one of the busiest paediatric centres in these islands.
In recent years there has been a formal link between the cardiac departments in Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital. This link has resulted in a strong working relationship between the two units. The majority of paediatric patients needing cardiac catheterisation in Northern Ireland now having their procedures in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, performed by a Belfast Cardiologist (Dr Brian McCrossan).
The patient population varies in age from the foetus, the new born and up to 18 years of age. There are strong links with Dublin maternity hospitals, and the Mater hospital for the combined management of patients at either end of the age spectrum. Satellite cardiology clinics are held in the Children’s University Hospital temple street, the National Children’s hospital Tallaght, Cork University Hospital, Limerick, Galway and Letterkenny.
The unit consists of 7 Consultants paediatric Cardiologists and 3 Consultant Cardiothoracic surgeons, with a further 12 non consultant doctors. The nature of congenital heart disease and its treatment requires a large multi-disciplinary team. Amongst the team are Anaesthetists, Intensivists, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurses, Psychologists, Social workers, Physiotherapy, Clinical Nutritionists, Pharmacist, Play Therapist, spiritual councillors and a large administrative team.
There is a new purpose built ward – Children’s Heart Centre (CHC) within the hospital to cater for the care of cardiac children during and after their procedures and surgery. This is supplemented by a five day cardiac unit which has enabled Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital to progress to day case cardiac catheterisations and day of surgery admissions for cardiac surgery.
As well as approximately 530 cardiothoracic cases per year, some of the services provided are:
Dedicated Outpatient rooms with attached ECG and ECHO facilities
2 Cardiologists who are clinical leads for foetal cardiology and take referrals from all over the ROI and who are also responsible for Cardiac MRI
Two PICU’s over two floors: 8 bedded and 17 bedded
6 Clinical Nurse Specialists who provide an invaluable service supporting the children and families
Monthly mortality and morbidity meetings
Weekly joint cardiothoracic conferences involving cardiology, cardiothoracic, ICU, anaesthetics and nursing
Monthly teleconferences with the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Hybrid Cardiac catheterisation lab
ECMO, commenced in 2005 and currently recognised as a centre of excellence by ELSO
Medical Staff
Cardiothoracic Surgeons:
Mr Jonathan McGuinness
Mr Lars Nölke
Prof Mark Redmond
Cardiologists:
Dr David Coleman, Paediatric Cardiologist, ECHO
Dr Orla Franklin, Paediatric Cardiologist, Foetal Echo, Cardiac MRI
Dr Damien Kenny, Paediatric Cardiologist, Cath Lab
Prof Colin McMahon, Paediatric Cardiologist, Foetal Echo, Cardiac MRI
Dr Paul Oslizlok, Paediatric Cardiologist, Cath Lab
Dr Terence Prendiville, Paediatric Cardiologist, ECHO
Prof Kevin Walsh, Paediatric Cardiologist, Cath Lab, Grown up Congenital services