The CHT team attends the All-Island Paediatric Cardiac Network Conference 2024.

Cathy and the Youth and Family Support Team

Cathy and Joan with the award winning poster of important findings

Cathy discussing the In Hospital Support Children's Heartbeat Trust offers

Poster of findings from Summer Blast 2023 Residential

Last week our Family & Youth Support Manager Cathy Dalton and Research & Policy Officer Joan Aiken attended the All-Island Paediatric Cardiac Network Conference 2024.

They presented work on the ‘In Hospital Support’ Children’s Heartbeat Trust offers families and young people as well as an award-winning poster on the impact on the mental health of those who took part in our 2023 Summer Blast residential.

One of many key findings from the residential showed that 33% (4/12) of participants had DASS-Y (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales for Youth) Scores for stress prior to the camp graded as moderate to severe. This improved to 100% of participants who had (12/12) normal scores after camp.

“We were delighted to speak today on the conference theme of, ‘Building a World Class Service’ which we at Children’s Heartbeat Trust offer through our Youth and Family support services for our heart families. The insight we gain from working so closely with families throughout their heart journeys means we can help continue to ensure they are at the centre of all congenital cardiology services.” Cathy Dalton, Family & Youth Support Manger.

We were delighted to have been able to share knowledge, experiences, and ideas with all the attendees and keynote speakers, that can shape the future of congenital heart disease management on the Island.

We’d also like to thank Clark Clinic Ward Sister, Anastasia Porter, for sharing her first-hand experience in the in-hospital conversation.

Well done to Cathy & Joan for an amazing presentation!

CHT Team ❤️