History of PECSIG

In Jan 2001 the Government established a Review Group to make recommendations for the safe organisation of paediatric and congenital cardiac services
In Sept 2001 the Children's Heart Federation (A Parent led Charity established 1988 to support parents and children with CHD)  held a Conference at Regents Park as there was a concern regarding outreach services for their children.
In  2002 the Fifth Report on Provision of Cardiac Services was published and noted:

⇒ Increasing workload despite static birth rate
⇒ Shortfall in consultant paediatric cardiologists
⇒ An increase in subspecialisation
⇒ Large expansion in Outreach Clinics

In Dec 2003 the Report of the Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services Review Group was published. One recommendation was:

⇒ Joined Up Care 42. “The concept of the managed clinical network is not a new one; and it seems ideal for the future running of this service. The interventions in the Joined Up Care section therefore aim at establishing these networks, with the tertiary centres taking the lead role, collaborating with other centres to establish the most logical and convenient network of outreach clinics, and helping with training and support to local clinicians, so that they can play their full part in the care of their patients.”

Hence the need for Paediatricians with an expertise in Paediatric Cardiology was identified and a 1 year training competency-based curriculum was developed in conjunction with the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. There are now a number of 1 year training posts nationally at the Regional Paediatric Cardiology Centres and hence a number of PECs around the country. The number of such consultants continues to grow and is estimated there are at least 100.

At the RCPCH Spring meeting 2007 in the Cardiology Section a number of established senior PECs gave presentations on their role and work. There was a very interested audience of PECs and trainees and it was agreed it would be beneficial to have a Paediatricians with Expertise in Cardiology Special Interest Group to support, training, networking, development of local services within a managed clinical network. It was felt such a group would be beneficial to improving standards of care for cardiac children and their families.

The current Executive Team developed the constitution and in July 2008 there was agreed formal affiliation with the RCPCH.  Though in its infancy PECSIG has much to offer PECs, children and families.