Working for us

Cardiothoracic Services are provided from the Regional Cardiothoracic Centre at the Freeman Hospital, and the Royal Victoria Infirmary.

We have two Coronary Care Units with acute cardiology wards based at both the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital sites.

The Chest Pain Assessment Unit and a Rapid Access Angina Clinic are based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Our community cardiology services include cardiac rehabilitation and heart failure.

This is a regional and national centre of excellence for respiratory medicine specialist services, cardiac and thoracic pre and post-surgical procedures including Day of Surgical Admission (DOSA), heart and lung transplantation and advanced heart failure therapies.

The cardiothoracic unit is one of the top units in the UK, providing specialist treatment for all types of heart and respiratory related conditions in adults and children.

The specialist clinicians combine medical expertise with an innovative approach to new technologies and treatments, and are dedicated to providing a safe, high quality service to all who come to the Centre.

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. These patients require a high level of nursing and medical care. The environment is fast paced and specialised in cardiac monitoring and thoracic drain systems.

Ward 27 Cardiology

Cardiology unit which cares for patients with coronary heart disease and abnormal heart rhythm. Open Monday to Saturday.

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-bedded surgical ward specialises in cardiac surgery / thoracic surgery / heart and lung transplant surgery. Ward 30 take (DOSA) day of surgery patients – with a fast-paced environment of op and return patients following complex wound debridement’s and bronchoscopy.

Royal Victoria Infirmary

Ward 50

This acute coronary care unit works alongside the Trust’s chest pain service and Emergency Department. Newly refurbished it has a new 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 say in hospital for specialist care. Its redesign will help provide enhanced care for chest pain, heart attacks and emergency admissions.

Shift Patterns

The wards within the unit generally work long day shifts 11.30hr; however in some areas a combination of shifts are worked to suit the needs of the service.

Staff Groups

We have the following staff working within the departments, Matron, Sister / Charge Nurse, Clinical Educator, Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Specialists, Staff Nurses, Nurse associates, Critical Care Assistants, Healthcare Assistants, Ward Clerks and Housekeeper.

Staff Training

We provide a preceptorship package for all newly qualified members of staff which runs in conjunction with a probation period for the first 6 months. All staff will attend a trust induction on commencement of their role; this is then completed with a local induction within the area chosen to work. Supernumerary periods are offered and the length of these is agreed locally taking into consideration the experience of the member of staff.

Staff are actively encouraged to continue their professional development with links to Northumbria University. In-house days and short modules can be found within the Trust’s intranet pages.