Report confirms that Children’s Health Ireland is a world leader in outcomes for children with congenital heart disease
Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) has welcomed new data from the National Congenital Heart Disease Audit (NCHDA) showing improved outcomes for children and young people undergoing congenital heart disease (CHD) procedures.
25 Meitheamh 2025
CHI at Crumlin
News
Maya with her parents at the Children’s Heart Centre CHI at Crumlin
The latest figures highlight increased survival rates and continued advancements in paediatric cardiac care, reaffirming the commitment to delivering world-class healthcare for children in Ireland.
The data, covering 2023/24, shows that CHD procedures have increased overall, with paediatric surgical procedures up by 5% from last year, reflecting progress in service delivery. Crucially, survival rates remain among the best globally, with an overall three-year survival ratio of 98.6%, exceeding predicted outcomes.
As part of an All-Island Congenital Heart Disease Network, CHI at Crumlin is the lead centre for paediatric cardiac surgery in Ireland, working in close partnership with services in Northern Ireland. The network ensures that all children, regardless of location, receive the highest standard of cardiac care.
The data confirms that Children’s Health Ireland continues to provide outstanding care for children and young people with congenital heart disease, achieving some of the best reported outcomes worldwide.
Professor Damien Kenny, Consultant in Cardiology at Children’s Health Ireland said
“These improvements are a testament to the dedication of our multidisciplinary teams, from antenatal diagnosis to surgical interventions and ongoing care, we are committed to delivering the best outcomes for children and their families.”
Children’s Health Ireland remains focused on enhancing cardiac services in preparation for the move to the new children’s hospital, which will further strengthen the delivery of specialist paediatric care.
Professor Orla Franklin, Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist at Children’s Health Ireland, explains:
“The heart is the most complex organ in the body and the organ most likely to go wrong. Every year, about 500 children in Ireland are born with serious heart disease and are likely to need surgery or a cardiac catheter in the first year of their life. The vast majority attending the Children’s Heart Centre will leave with a repaired heart following a single intervention and go on to lead full and productive lives.”
The parents of Maya from Dublin who attended the service added:
“Our daughter Maya had two open-heart surgeries in Crumlin—one when she was 4 months old and another when she was 3 years old. From the moment we walked through the door, I knew she was in the best hands in the country. The staff in ICU, CHC, and the surgical team provided not only expert care but also great compassion, making Maya feel safe and comfortable. It was truly a wraparound service not just for Maya, but for us as well."
“Seeing Maya recover and go from strength to strength has been nothing short of amazing, and that is all thanks to the ICU, cardiac, and surgical teams in Crumlin. Our family will be forever grateful for the support and expertise that gave Maya a new lease on life."
For more information, visit childrenshealthireland.ie
National Congenital Heart Disease Audit (NCHDA) report can be found here