{
  "abstract": "Problem Paediatric cardiology pharmacy practice in the United Kingdom (U.K.) has been characterised by a nationally recognised lack of coordinated specialist workforce capacity and expertise. This has led to unwarranted variation in practice, duplication of effort, fragmented medicines optimisation activity, and limited opportunities for shared learning across congenital heart disease (CHD) services. 1 These challenges have implications for patient safety, equitable access to high–quality medicines information, and sustainable workforce development. The aim of this initiative was to establish a coordinated national paediatric cardiology pharmacy network to reduce variation, improve patient safety, standardise medicines information, and support workforce development through education, collaboration, and shared expertise.Strategy The Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacy Group (NPPG) 2 Paediatric Cardiology Special Interest Group (SIG) was established in February 2024, bringing together specialist pharmacists from the five U.K. paediatric CHD centres. A structured, multi–workstream quality improvement approach aligned with NPPG strategic objectives was adopted, focusing on education, medicines optimisation, standardisation, workforce mapping, and national collaboration. Key activities included delivery of a national education programme through webinars, conference sessions, and peer–reviewed publications. Collaboration with Medicines for Children supported the national review and development of paediatric cardiology patient information leaflets to address safety incidents and information gaps.3 Further initiatives included a national review of non–standardised liquid formulations to reduce dosing error risk, cross–specialty collaboration and a national pharmacy survey supporting NHS England Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) specifications, to inform a competency–based education framework. A national CHD pharmacy workforce survey to inform development of future workforce CHD standards, alongside expert input into medicines shortages and formulary evaluations.Measures and Results Outcomes included establishment of a national, multi–centre pharmacy committee representing five (out of 11) surgical centres to lead SIG workstreams, and creation of a digital communication platform supporting a 70–member SIG with representation from each of the 14 cardiac centres across the 11 CHD networks in the U.K. and Ireland. Deliverables comprised five national education sessions, including two national conference sessions; two peer–reviewed CHD educational publications; development of 10 new Medicines for Children patient information leaflets; and review and update of nine existing cardiac leaflets. Three national surveys were completed to assess practice variation, workforce capacity, and educational gaps, with engagement across the CHD networks and contribution to national Clinical Reference Group discussions on CHD workforce optimisation. Output measures also included development of two formulary assessment tools for newly licensed cardiac liquid formulations (flecainide and spironolactone) and coordinated expert input into national medicines supply management, including the amiodarone Medicine Supply Notice.Lessons Learnt The SIG established a coordinated national paediatric cardiology pharmacy network, enabling shared learning, rapid problem–solving, and reduced duplication of effort. Nationally standardised educational resources and medicines information were developed, disseminated, improving consistency of practice and patient safety. The work demonstrated that a coordinated national approach to specialist pharmacy practice is both feasible and impactful. Success was driven by broad geographic engagement, clear workstreams alignment with national priorities. Future priorities include a national journal club, cardiomyopathy education, targeted resource development informed by gap analysis, and national affiliations.References Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacy Group. About NPPG. Available from: https://nppg.org.uk/about/ [Accessed 19 June 2025].Medicines for Children. Available from: https://www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk [Accessed 16 June 2025].Wilson M, Humberstone N. NHS England. Congenital Heart Disease Standards and Specifications. (May 2016) Available from: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Congenital-heart-disease-standards-and-specifications.pdf [Accessed 19 June 2025].",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacist Group (NPPG) Paediatric Cardiac Special Interest Group (SIG) Committee",
        "Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Susie Gage"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacist Group (NPPG) Paediatric Cardiac Special Interest Group (SIG) Committee",
        "Leeds Children’s Hospital, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Teresa Brooks"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacist Group (NPPG) Paediatric Cardiac Special Interest Group (SIG) Committee",
        "Freeman Hospital, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Catriona Johnston"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacist Group (NPPG) Paediatric Cardiac Special Interest Group (SIG) Committee",
        "Great Ormond Street Hospital, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Sadhna Sharma"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacist Group (NPPG) Paediatric Cardiac Special Interest Group (SIG) Committee",
        "Birmingham Children’s Hospital, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Aimée Cope"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P11 The beating heart of paediatric cardiology pharmacy: our national successes and collaborations",
  "uid": "99642599-62c8-50ab-be7f-0f3ecf9171a1"
}