The Regional Cardiac Services Network started to form following an open meeting in June 2006. All those present at this meeting identified areas within cardiology services that needed to be addressed in a joined up way to ensure the overall quality of services was provided in all areas of the Province. From this meeting it was decided to create five clinical advisory groups to take the work forward. They had their first meetings in autumn 2006 with the Board first coming together in Dec 2006. 

 

The Network is facilitated in it work by the Service Delivery Unit in the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. The people involved in the clinical advisory groups represent all Trusts in the Province and all professional groups involved in the care of patient with cardiac disease.

The Network will achieve its aims by:-

Equity of Access. Giving all patients the same access to similar treatments across the whole of Northern Ireland.

Clinical Guidelines / Standards . Develop and implementing agreed clinical and managerial standards and guidelines across all organisations, geographical areas and patient pathways; and monitor compliance.

Audit and Information . Establish key performance indicators, accountability arrangements and platforms where information can be gathered and shared.

Participation . Engage patients and health professionals involved in cardiac care from all disciplines and organisations, both statutory and voluntary in the network agenda.

Workforce . Ensure an effective workforce planning strategy is developed in line with the delivery of a Cardiac Investment Strategy.

Diagnostics and Imaging. Develop a diagnostic framework, linked to the cardiac investment plan, which will ensure organisations in all geographical areas have the capacity to deliver patient journey access targets.

Research and Development. Inform the R&D Strategy which will in turn inform future cardiac services development plans.