Archive for February, 2012
Information Day for GUCH’s and young adults
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012
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In partnership with GUCH PA we are holding an information day for our GUCH’s (Grown Up Congenital Hearts) and young adults over 16 to provide information on living with a heart condition as an adult and giving you the opportunity to ask questions too. The event is open to GUCH’s and young people, and also any parents, family members or interested parties who would like to come along. This is a free event, please contact 01473 252007 or admin@guch.org.uk to reserve your place.
Children’s MRI Scanner Appeal highlighted in BBC Documentary
Tuesday, February 28th, 2012The BBC ‘In Your Corner’ programme show on Monday 27 Feb highlighted the urgent need for an MRI Scanner at the Children’s Hospital. View the programme at ://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01cqmn1/In_Your_Corner_Series_2_Episode_1/
There is currently limited access to MRI for sick children in Northern Ireland and demand greatly exceeds availability. Children who do receive scans are referred to another department in the adult hospitals or may even be transferred to another hospital outside of Northern Ireland. To help us raise the £2,000,000 needed for this piece of equipment please visit www.mriscannerappeal.org or make a £3 donation by texting ‘Scan’ to 70003.
You can also listen again to the Cullen family being interviewed on Talkback about the need for an MRI Scanner in the Children’s Hospital in Belfast at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b01cl4fp – interview starts at 1.05:35. 
South Down Family Support Group Meeting; 7 March at 8pm; Banbridge Leisure Centre
Tuesday, February 28th, 2012We are holding a Public Meeting on Wednesday 7 March at 8:00pm at Banbridge Leisure Centre, Downshire Road, Banbridge.
The aim of this meeting is to set up a local family support group offering parent-led support and advice for parents and families of children with heart disease in the South Down area. Anyone affected by the issue of heart disease in children and young people is invited and encouraged to attend.
Liam’s Little Hearts Walk; Sat 10 March; Craigavon Area Hospital – RBHSC.
Tuesday, February 28th, 2012Liam’s Little Hearts Walk; Sat 10 March; Craigavon Area Hospital – RBHSC.
McKee family from Rathfriland present local fundraising
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012
Caption for pic: Gillian Knox, Play Specialist at Clark Clinic accepts the funds on behalf of Children's Heartbeat Trust. (L-R) Judith McKee, Grace McKee, Aaron McKee, Gillian Knox, Ian Clyde, Leeanne Clyde. Caption for pic: Gillian Knox, Play Specialist at Clark Clinic accepts the funds on behalf of Children's Heartbeat Trust. (L-R) Judith McKee, Grace McKee, Aaron McKee, Gillian Knox, Ian Clyde, Leeanne Clyde.
The McKee family from Rathfriland presented funds raised by the Bronte Steakhouse at a charity night and donations from the Presbyterian Churches, Rathfriland to Gillian Knox for the Children’s Heartbeat Trust.
This fundraising was motivated by little Grace McKee, who was born with a serious heart condition and is currently receiving treatment at Clark Clinic in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. The McKee family would like to thank Leanne and Ian Clyde from the Bronte Steakhouse for their fundraising efforts and all those who donated to the charity.
Paediatric Cardiac Surgical Surgery – Update
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
We have been hearing a number of concerns in the last few days about the paediatric cardiac surgery service at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children so we asked the consultants at Clark Clinic to clarify the situation. Having received the response below we feel able to reassure parents and families that the surgical service is continuing in Belfast. Response in full below..
The surgical service for Congenital Heart Disease in Belfast is currently provided by two surgeons employed by the Belfast Trust with support where needed from two further surgeons based at Our Lady`s Hospital for Sick Children in Dublin. This network arrangement has been established to ensure that there is more comprehensive surgical cover.
The surgeons based in Belfast are Professor Fred Wood who has more than 30 years experience working as a Congenital Heart Surgeon and Mr. Chris Austin who is at present working in a Locum Consultant Capacity. Mr. Austin has spent the last year gaining further expertise in Congenital Heart Surgery in Dublin and at The Evalina Children`s Hospital in London. Interviews will be held on 5th April 2012 for a permanent appointment.
The two Dublin surgeons who operate in Belfast are Professor Mark Redmond and Mr. Lars Nolke both also very experienced Congenital Heart Surgeons.
With this arrangement the number of operations performed in Belfast for congenital heart conditions has not reduced and patients have received their surgery in a timely manner. As has been the case for many years Children with very complex diagnoses such as Hypoplastic Left Heart are transferred mainly to Birmingham Children’s Hospital. A small number of patients have also been transferred to Dublin and the Evalina Children`s Hospital in London.
The priority of the Paediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgical teams to ensure that children from Northern Ireland receive safe and timely treatment and we have the most robust audit and governance procedures of any centre in the U.K to continuously monitor outcomes
Riley rocks fundraising challenge!
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012
Little Riley McCutcheon with his medal!
The McCutcheon family from Lisburn raised the fantastic sum of £4,039.75 in aid of the Children’s Heartbeat Trust by encouraging friends and family to participate in the Lisburn Fun Run, 10k and Half Marathon, and organizing a charity night in the Derriaghy Cricket Club.
The motivation behind this fundraising was little Riley McCutcheon (2) who was born with a serious heart defect, and received treatment in Clark Clinic at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Stephen, Lisa and Riley McCutcheon would like to thank everyone who helped, sponsored and supported them in their fundraising efforts.