The Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Service is a national service based on Level Three, in the link between Starship and Auckland City Hospital. The service moved from a combined adult/child facility at Greenlane Hospital to an excellent purpose-built facility at Starship Children's Hospital in December 2003. Continued diagnosis and treatment improvements mean our patient population is growing and with it, our service.

We are the sole provider of cardiology and cardiac surgical services for infants and children with congenital and acquired heart disease in New Zealand and parts of the Pacific Basin. We provide a foetal cardiology service, and investigation and treatment of those born with congenital heart disease who are now adults.  Inpatient care ranges from simple overnight procedures to complex heart operations over several years.

We also have an extensive network of outreach clinics and offer consultation and support to clinicians caring for patients within the regional hospital setting.

Our team is made up of health professionals from many different areas. Together, we aim to provide the best possible care for children with heart problems. We include:

• Paediatric cardiac surgeons and cardiologists
• Specialist nurses
• Ward doctors and nurses
• Allied health professionals
• Technical staff
• Social workers and psychologists
• Play therapists and teachers
• Administrative support.

In addition there is an active clinical research and audit programme that includes collaborative ventures with academic groups nationally and internationally.

The Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Service (PCCS) provides cardiac specialist care for children across New Zealand with cardiac disease.

For children living within the Auckland District Health Board (AHDB) area, referrals are accepted from General Practitioners. For children living outside of the ADHB area, referrals are primarily through the local paediatrician, but in rural areas where access is difficult, General Practitioner referrals are accepted.

If your child requires acute, urgent cardiac assessment, you will be asked to bring your child to be seen and reviewed in the Children's Emergency Department.

If your problem is not urgent, your referring doctor will write a letter to PCCS asking for an appointment for your child in the Outpatient clinic. When you come to clinic you will be seen by a member of the cardiac team, who will ask questions about your child's illness and examine him/her to try to determine or confirm the diagnosis. Your child may need to have some tests (e.g. blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), x-rays, scans etc). Sometimes this can be done during one clinic visit, but for some conditions this will mean having follow-up appointments. Your child's visit can take several hours, depending on the tests required.

Once a diagnosis has been made, the medical staff will discuss treatment with you. In some cases this will mean surgery, while others can be managed with medication and advice. If surgery is advised, your child will be put on the surgical waiting list. The steps involved in the surgical process and the likely outcome are usually discussed with you at this time.

Information on Kidshealth.org.nz:

• Children's Pain - the Facts
• Children's Painful Procedures and Operations - How Can Parents Help?
• Helping your Child Manage their Healthcare Treatment/Procedure
• Kawasaki Disease
• Preparing for Hospital (information for parents/caregivers)
• Preparing for Hospital (information for children)
• Rheumatic Fever
• Sore Throat

Support groups:

• Cardiac Inherited Disease Group
• Cardiomyopathy
• @Heart New Zealand
• National Heart Foundation
• Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes