It is the only cardiothoracic unit in the UK that provides specialist treatment for all types of heart and respiratory related conditions in adults and children, including (congenital) heart and lung surgery, heart and lung transplantation and mechanical circulatory support.
The unit consists of five adult and paediatric theatres (including a robotic theatre), two intensive care units (adult and paediatric) and four adult and paediatric wards.
The dedicated transplant ward at the Freeman Hospital sits within the Institute of Transplantation.
We have cardiology wards based at both the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital .
The chest pain assessment unit and rapid access angina clinic are based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
Our community cardiology services include cardiac rehabilitation and heart failure.
Freeman Hospital
Ward 24 Cardiology/coronary care unit
Adult coronary care unit which provides high dependency care for patients with all types of heart conditions. Procedures range from angioplasty / insertion of defibrillators/pacemakers / ablation – for abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure management. Patients are referred to ward 24 from all the district general hospitals in the region. Referrals are taken from all areas of the country because of the experience in specialised procedures.
Ward 25 Cardiothoracic surgical ward with ventricular assisted devices
20 bedded acute surgical ward specialises in cardiac surgery / thoracic surgery / Heart and lung transplantation / Heart assist device (known as vads) and congenital surgery.
Ward 27 Cardiology
Cardiology unit which cares for patients with coronary heart disease and abnormal heart rhythm. Procedures include coronary angioplasty/angiogram and insertion of pacemakers.
Ward 29 Respiratory medicine
30 bedded adult respiratory medical ward which cares for patients with a wide range of respiratory disorders including: lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, sleep apnoea, respiratory failure and pulmonary vascular disorder.
Ward 30 Cardiothoracic surgical ward
30-bed surgical ward specialises in cardiac surgery / thoracic surgery / heart and lung transplant surgery.
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Ward 50
This acute coronary care unit works alongside the chest pain service and emergency department. It has a four-bay day unit to monitor, assess and treat patients who do not need to be admitted, a 6 cubicle coronary care unit for patients who need high dependency care and 17 beds for patients who need to stay in hospital for specialist care. The unit provides care for chest pain, heart attacks and emergency admissions.
Respiratory services
Specialist services offered include investigation and treatment for:
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Pulmonary vascular diseases
- Lung cancer
- Lung transplantation
- COPD
- Sleep service (for apnoea assessment and treatment)
- Bronchiectasis
- Severe asthma
How can I be referred into the service
We receive both local and national referrals. You will be referred to us from your GP or from another major regional hospitals.
In addition our transplant and paediatric services receive referrals from all over the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.
