NHS England has been reviewing the hospital care for children and adults with congenital heart disease.

An initial review of services looked at the whole lifetime pathway, including the role of local hospitals and considered how to achieve the best outcomes for all patients. The aim was to get consistency of care across the country and great patient experience, including how information is provided and the support and access families receive when they have to be away from home.

To do this, standards of care for all congenital heart patients have been agreed – the aim of the review is to ensure hospitals can put these in place. This should make sure patients of all ages get the best possible care, wherever they are treated.  You can read the standards here.

In July 2016 NHS England, published a set of proposals describing the actions they would take to ensure standards of care will be consistent for CHD patients, children and adults, throughout the country.

The consultation on these proposals runs until July 17 2017. It aims to gather as many views as possible from patients of all ages, families and healthcare professionals across the country. It’s very important that you express your views and have a say in the future of your or your loved one’s care.

Please take some time to read more about the proposals: here, and there is an easy-to-read document here.

You can also complete the NHS England CHD Services Consultation online survey here.

Consultation for Young People

So that children and young people are able to understand the proposals and share their thoughts the Young People CHD Website has been created, with an animation and secure portal for young people to let NHS England know how they feel – please do encourage young people affected by these proposals to complete this form.