All-Island Congenital Heart Disease Network

The All-Island Congenital Heart Disease Network was established in 2015 after a review of cardiology and cardiothoracic services in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI).

The review, led by an International Working Group (IWG), made several recommendations to improve services for children in Ireland with congenital heart disease. One key recommendation was to create an All-Island Network to ensure equal access to specialist care.

The Network’s main objective is to make sure that:

• Every child born with congenital heart disease in Ireland can access specialist cardiology care.
• Services are provided as close to home as possible.

The Network brings together a range of people who work together to support children with congenital heart disease and their families, including:

• Clinicians
• Managers
• Patient and family representatives
• Health service commissioners (from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland)

This collaboration helps ensure that families receive seamless care, regardless of which side of the border they live on.

The Network is overseen by a Board and reports to the Cross-Jurisdiction Oversight Group (CJOG).

• The CJOG includes senior leaders such as:
• Chief Medical Officers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
• Director of Secondary Care, Department of Health (NI)
• Assistant Secretary, Department of Health (ROI)

The CJOG ensures that the recommendations from the IWG report are implemented effectively.

The Network works across traditional organisational boundaries to provide a unified approach to care for children with congenital heart disease.

This means:

• Improved collaboration between health services in both jurisdictions
• Better outcomes for children and families across the island of Ireland