Categories
This section contains documents relating to the Network, supporting its core operational and governance requirements. It includes information pertaining to the Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Network Board and includes risk and document management procedures alongside the Nursing Strategy to support the development of link nurses across the region.
Network Documents
Annual Report 2025-2026
The Network’s Annual Report for 2025-2026. The network continues to make significant progress in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care through innovation, digital transformation, education, and collaboration. By embracing new technologies, strengthening clinical excellence, and investing in our workforce, we are building a stronger, more connected future for healthcare while maintaining our commitment to outstanding patient outcomes.
Document Management
Describes how the Network ensures that documents are kept up to date and relevant and where possible evidenced based.
Document Management Ratification Task and Finish Groups Terms of Reference
The Network has set up Ratification Task and Finish Groups who are responsible for signing off documents on behalf of the CHD Network Board. This is the Terms of Reference Document for these groups.
Letters to patients – Good Practice Guideline
This guideline explains how clinic letters should be written. It sets out what information to include, how to keep language clear and supportive, and how to make sure communication is consistent across the Network. It helps all clinicians write letters that patients and families can easily understand, so they feel informed and confident about their care.
Media Consent Form
The Network Media Consent Form to be used by the Network when interviewing, filming or taking pictures of both staff and patients for Network publications only.
Network Risk Procedure
This document describes how the Network identifies, manages and controls its own risks and how it monitors providers risks across the region.
Network Board Minutes – 24th February 2025
Minutes of the NW CHD Network Board.
Network Board Minutes – 12th May 2025
Minutes of the NW CHD Network Board.
Network Board Minutes – 11th August 2025
Minutes of the NW CHD Network Board.
Network Board Minutes – 17th November 2025
Minutes of the NW CHD Network Board.
Network Board Risk Report
This report is for highlighting all Network and Provider risks with a score of 12 or above to the Network Board.
Patient Stories
This document explains how patients, families and carers can share their experiences with the North West CHD Network. It sets out why stories matter, how they help improve services, and the simple steps for sending one in. It also covers consent, how stories may be used, and the support available throughout the process.
Self-assessment Against NHSE Congenital Heart Disease Standards SOP
The purpose of this document is to describe the approach that the North West, North Wales and the Isle of Man Operational Delivery Network intends to take to meet regularly with CHD providers within its footprint in order review progress against the delivery of nationally recognised CHD standards.
Network Operational Policy
The purpose of this document is to outline the operational plan for the NW CHD ODN. It describes the range and scope of services provided and the governance processes and oversight that is required.
CHD Network Board Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference for the all age North West, North Wales and the Isle of Man CHD Network Board.
Network Social Media Policy
This document describes the role of the Network in managing its social media platforms in a safe and inclusive manner.
Network Strategy
The Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Operational Delivery Network (ODN) exists to improve the quality, safety, and equity of congenital heart disease services across the region. Its purpose is to create the conditions for better outcomes, reduced unwarranted variation, strengthened pathways, and a consistently positive experience for children, young people, adults, and families
Research and Innovation Framework
This framework describes the Network’s role in Research and Innovation (R&I) and outlines the components of its principles, possibilities and intended approach to achieve an equitable opportunity for all paediatric cardiology and adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) staff, patients and families across the network to be engaged in and benefit from research.
Nursing Strategy
Nurse with a Special Interest in ACHD – Competency Framework
This is a competency-based framework to support the development and role of the Nurse with a special interest in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). This document is intended to be used flexibly to support nurses in a variety of settings and with different levels of knowledge and skills to develop their understanding of ACHD and how to care for patients.
Paediatric Nurse with a Special Interest in CHD – Competency Framework
This is a competency-based framework to support the development and role of the Nurse with a special interest in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). This document is intended to be used flexibly to support nurses in a variety of settings and with different levels of knowledge and skills to develop their understanding of ACHD and how to care for patients.
Adult Nurse with a Special Interest in ACHD– Role Description
This document outlines what is involved in becoming a Paediatric Cardiac Link Nurse
Paediatric Nurse with a special Interest in CHD – Role Description
This document outlines what is involved in becoming a Paediatric Cardiac Link Nurse.
Clinical Governance Documents
Clinical Governance SOP
This document describes the process required to enable incidents and mortalities to be discussed at the Network Clinical Governance Meeting. This meeting is held twice a year and also reports on PALS complaints, Areas of good practice and research and audit updates.
Clinical Governance Report
Providers are required to submit a Clinical Governance Report every 6 months. Please use the link provided to access the report. The reporting period and submission deadlines will be displayed once you open the form. Click here or scan the QR code.
Mortality Reporting Form
This is a standardised mortality reporting form to be used by all providers within our Network. This can be used locally for M&M reporting within individual Trusts. Please use this form to report a death associated with a diagnosis of cardiac disease in a child or where adult congenital heart disease has been a contributing factor.
Incident Reporting Form
Please use this form to submit incidents to the Network for consideration for discussion at the Network Clinical Governance meeting.
Please send reporting forms to the Network securely. Please be careful to ensure you follow data protection rules when sending confidential emails. The Alder Hey email address is accredited to DCB1596 standards: northwestchdnetwork@alderhey.nhs.uk.
