About our service
We offer a range of services to patients locally, on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. We investigate possible cardiac conditions and monitor patients with ongoing cardiac conditions. We provide a comprehensive range of diagnostic services, including Electrocardiography (ECG), Exercise Testing, Echocardiology, Tilt table testing and 24 hour ECG monitoring. We also host pacemaker and defibrillator follow-up clinics.
We have a large team of experienced cardiographers, cardiac physiologists and cardiac clinical scientists who are supported by an administration team. All senior clinical staff are registered with either The Registration Council for Clinical Physiology or The Health and Care Professions Council. All staff who report on echocardiograms hold accreditation with The British Society of Echocardiography or are certified by The European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging. Staff who look after patients with pacemakers or implantable defibrillators hold British Heart Rhythm Society accreditation.
How to access our services
Our two main sites are Darlington Memorial Hospital (DMH) and University Hospital of North Durham (UHND). Some services are also provided at Bishop Auckland Hospital and Shotley Bridge Community Hospital.
We have two Cardiac Day Units - one at University Hospital of North Durham and one at Darlington Memorial Hospital. Both house a cardiac catheterisation laboratory. Procedures undertaken include:
- Diagnostic angiography
- Permanent pacemaker implants
- Pacemaker revision battery change
- Reveal loop recorder implant/explant
- Transoesophageal echocardiogram
- Dobutamine Stress echocardiogram
- DC Cardioversion
Our team of highly experienced consultant cardiologists, supported by multidisciplinary teams, provide a range of Cardiac services across County Durham and Darlington.
We also provide outpatient and inpatient services to adult patients of all ages. Both units are currently open 4 days per week:
- UHND - Monday to Thursday from 8am to 6pm: 0191 3332796
- DMH - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8am to 6pm: 01325 743934
Our cardiology specialist nursing team offer support for patients and carers with heart disease and heart failure in hospital and community settings. The team consists of nurse practitioners and specialist nurses as well as physical activity facilitators and health care assistants. Nursing teams are based at University Hospital of North Durham, Darlington Memorial Hospital and Bishop Auckland Hospital as well as in community premises in Stanley, Peterlee and Darlington.
Cardiovascular service
Patients admitted to hospital with a heart attack or following angioplasty or bypass operation are usually seen in hospital by the specialist nurse team who start the process of cardiac rehabilitation. This typically covers a period of 3 to 6 months and involves supporting people to recover, reducing the risk of further heart problems and helping people to manage their condition. Cardiac rehabilitation programmes offer 16 sessions of exercise, education and relaxation and are offered in both hospital and community venues throughout the county. There are daytime and evening sessions available. Patients may also be offered review in a hospital or community clinic as well as in their own home or GP surgery.
The specialist nurse team also provide chest pain clinics and cardiology review clinics at University Hospital of North Durham, Darlington Memorial Hospital, Bishop Auckland Hospital and Shotley Bridge Hospital. These are designed to offer a rapid assessment and investigation of chest pain that does not require admission to hospital.
Heart failure service
The heart failure service supports and monitors patients who have been diagnosed with heart failure either in hospital or in a heart failure clinic. Specialist nurses will usually see patients who have been admitted to hospital with heart failure and provide support and education before discharge. Patients will be offered review after discharge in their own home, hospital or community clinic. The specialist nurse team work closely with Consultant Cardiologists to provide an individual plan of care to support people to reduce cardiac risk and manage their condition at home wherever possible.
Heart failure rehabilitation aims to improve physical function, quality of life and self-management of the condition. It is delivered jointly with Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland, St. Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham, St. Theresa’s Hospice in Darlington and at Peterlee Community Hospital.
You can access a range of other support and resources:
- Angina (BHF leaflet)
- Blood Pressure (BHF leaflet)
- Stop Smoking (BHF leaflet)
- Pacemaker (BHF leaflet)
- ICD (BHF leaflet)
- Familial Hypercholesterolemia (BHF leaflet)
- Atrial Fibrillation (BHF leaflet)