Cardiac Intensive Care
Overview
The Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is a world-class facility dedicated to delivering the highest standards of care for children with congenital and acquired heart disease. As one of the largest and most specialised cardiac ICUs in the UK, our unit provides comprehensive, round-the-clock care for critically ill children, supported by a multidisciplinary team of experts.
Our CICU is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art unit staffed by a highly skilled team of:
- Paediatric cardiac intensivists
- Specialist cardiac intensive care nurses
- Paediatric cardiologists and cardiac surgeons
- Anaesthetists
- Allied health professionals including physiotherapists, dietitians, pharmacists, and psychologists
Together, we deliver coordinated, compassionate care tailored to each child’s unique needs. The unit is led by a team of 16 cardiac intensivists, a matron supported by 12 Band 7 nurses, nursing educators and ECLS nurse specialists, and a highly skilled nursing team providing 1:1 nursing care, and 2:1 for children on ECMO, ventricular assist devices (VADs), or post-transplant. Children with extended stays (over 10 days) benefit from a dedicated primary intensivist and a consistent nursing team.
Conditions we treat
With 21 commissioned beds and nearly 800 annual admissions, including over 500 post-open heart surgeries, our CICU is a national and international referral centre for complex cardiac care.
Core Cardiology Services
We treat children from birth through adolescence, transitioning them to the Grown-Up Congenital Heart Unit (GUCH) when appropriate. Our cardiac surgical team performs 600–650 surgeries annually, including 500-550 on bypass, and accepts quaternary referrals for complex cases. We contribute to the National Congenital Heart Disease Audit (NCHDA) and are part of the One Heart CHD Network , supporting cardiac care for children across North London and the East of England.
We also manage five nationally commissioned highly specialised services:
- Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
For neonatal and paediatric respiratory failure, and congenital/acquired heart disease. We receive 80–90 referrals annually, with around 40-50 patients supported on ECMO. The programme submits data to the international ELSO Registry and outcomes are benchmarked via the ELSO Registry. - Bridging to Transplant (Mechanical Circulatory Support)
Our programme includes durable VADs such as Berlin Heart and HeartMate-3, supporting children with acute cardiac failure due to cardiomyopathy or myocarditis. Data is submitted to NHS Blood and Transplant and Euro-PaediMACS and benchmarked nationally and internationally. - Heart, Lung, and Heart-Lung Transplant Programme
One of Europe’s largest cardiothoracic transplant programmes, performing 20-25 transplants annually. Data is submitted to NHS Blood and Transplant and benchmarked nationally. - Pulmonary Hypertension Service
A national programme offering highly specialised care for children with pulmonary hypertension. - Tracheal Service
A quaternary-level service with global recognition for managing complex airway pathologies.
Our unit is equipped with advanced monitoring systems and uses the EPIC electronic medical record for seamless, integrated care.
CICU Family Liaison Service
We understand that having a child in intensive care is an incredibly challenging experience. Our Family Liaison Nurses (FLNs) provide emotional support, education, and guidance to families throughout their journey.
The service includes:
- Helping families understand their child’s condition and treatment plan
- Emotional and psychosocial support during hospitalisation
- Bereavement clinics for families who have experienced loss
- Advocacy and communication between families and the wider care team
Our goal is to ensure families feel informed, supported, and empowered.
Patient Follow-Up
Children supported on ECMO receive multidisciplinary follow-up at 1- and 2-years post-treatment, ensuring long-term monitoring of recovery, development, and quality of life.
CICU Quality and Safety
Our CICU is committed to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care. We benchmark our outcomes against national and international standards, including:
- PICANet
- NCHDA
- NHSBT
- ELSO
- Euro-PaediMACS
High standards are maintained through:
- Skilled and supported healthcare professionals
- Strong leadership and management
- Continuous education and professional development
- A culture of respect, dignity, and compassion for children, families, and staff
Innovation and research are central to our mission, driving improvements in current and future care for children with cardiac disease.
Refer your child for treatment
Use the form below to refer your child for treatment. A member of our team will be in touch within 2 working days.
Mandatory fields
Governance within the CICU is robust and multidisciplinary, ensuring high-quality, coordinated care for every child.
Key governance structures include:
- Twice daily consultant-led ward rounds
- Weekly multidisciplinary meetings for children with stays over 10 days, involving consultants, Matron, Band 7 nurses, cardiologists, palliative care, allied health professionals, and the Family Liaison Team
- Twice-weekly Joint Cardiac Conferences (JCC) and regular MDT discussions
- Weekly Clinical Governance Meetings, reviewing NCHDA and PICANet metrics, morbidity, and mortality data
- Monthly Risk Action Group (RAG) Meetings
- Monthly CICU Business Meetings, focusing on PICANet, GIRFT metrics, and activity data across cardiac surgery, ECMO, and specialised services
These structures ensure transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in patient care.
