Ward 23 - children's heart unit - Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The children’s heart unit (ward 23) and cares for children who need both day-case treatment, and those who need longer more complex surgical and medical treatment in the ward’s high dependency unit.

The unit provides care for children up to 18 years old who need medical or surgical help for conditions involving the heart, lungs and airways.

Our children’s heart surgery unit is truly world class, providing excellent care and delivering the best possible results for critically ill babies, children and young people. By developing innovative services, we carried out:

The first infant heart transplant in Europe in 1987. This young girl is one of only 100 transplants worldwide to survive 25 years.

Most of our patients come from the North of England, but children are referred to us from all parts of the
UK and Ireland for treatments such as:

Heart and lung transplants – one of only two units in the UK to carry these out.
Bridge to transplant/recovery programme – using the Berlin heart to support our patients, we’re one of only two units in the UK to use these treatments.
ECMO life support – one of only four units in the UK to offer ECMO.
Cardiac surgery
Critical care (PICU)
Anaesthesia
Cardiology
Heart rhythm treatment (for problems with the rhythm of the heart beat).
Respiratory disease

Leading the way

The Freeman leads the way in the UK to provide treatment for infants and children with ‘end-stage’ heart failure.

Our wide range of experts work together in specialist teams to deliver innovative and outstanding care – our results are comparable with centres worldwide.

Mechanical support

The Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) programme makes use of mechanical devices to do the heart’s job in seriously ill patients. The programme has been running at the Freeman since 1998, and is one of the largest programmes in the world.

Congenital heart disease

We are unique in the UK to have both an adult Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) centre and a paediatric PH centre. This means we can manage a wide range of patients – including adults and children – with PH-associated congenital (from birth) heart disease.

We also have a long-standing national and international reputation in electrophysiology – the study of the electrical properties of cells and tissues. Only a few centres can provide this, and we are proud to be at the forefront of developments in electrophysiology and rhythm disorders of the heart.

We treat children who are in the most at-risk group, who may also need mechanical support following surgery. We accept referrals for this type of surgery from every UK and Republic of Ireland children’s heart unit.

International links

Children’s Cardiac Services at the Freeman hospital have strong links across regional, national and international networks. These networks, with their flow of knowledge, have contributed to improved outcomes, innovative treatments and scientific knowledge across the world.

Ward facilities

Play and development

Our play team provides a specific plan of play and development for your child during their stay in hospital.

We have three play staff based on the ward and our paediatric intensive care unit.

The ward has a large playroom and an outside play area which has lots of games and toys for children of all age ranges.

We also have a sensory room and cinema area and we run regular movie nights and lots of baby sensory play groups.

For our older patients we have an adolescent sitting room with the latest Xbox and PlayStation games.

Support groups

We have a sibling support group which runs Thursday teatime. This allows siblings to have some special time with play staff to have fun or talk through their feelings.

Ward visiting times

Our visiting times are 2.00pm to 7.00pm every day.

Flexible visiting is available following discussion with the nurse in charge.

Only two visitors are allowed at the bedside at any time. If your relative has had a transplant, then visiting is restricted to the same two family members only.

Please ring the ward doorbell and wait for a member of staff to answer.

When entering the unit, remove your coat (if any) and leave this on the hooks provided.
Please remember to take any valuables with you.
If you are unwell, please do not visit the Unit.

Location of ward

Ward 23 is in the Cardiothoracic Centre is based at the Cardiothoracic Centre which is set to the right of the Freeman Hospital as you look at the front.

Come into the Cardiothoracic Centre and take a right turn round by the reception desk.

At the junction turn left and follow the corridor, past the Lung Function Department, until you reach the end where you will find Ward 23 on the right-hand side.