Service delivery within the NHS is changing with improved access to care, clinical outcomes and patient experience of care as primary objectives. Within secondary healthcare in particular, there has been movement towards sub-specialisation in nursing, backed up by evidence that access to specialist opinion and skills improves quality of clinical outcomes.

Advances in modern medicine and technology have led to an increase in the number of foetuses being diagnosed with anomalies in the ante-natal period, thus allowing for preparation and support of parents for delivery of a baby who may require immediate, long term medical or surgical intervention. In some case it could be argued that in-utero intervention has increased the chances of fetal survival and allows for a better long-term outcome in this client group.

To meet the potential changes in survival the current services provided need to be changed and updated. The outcomes of a UK based audit will be presented on how Fetal Cardiology is currently managed, with recommendations to develop this service further to ensure holistic care is provided for the family and the foetus. The role of the Fetal Cardiology Specialist Nurse will be further explored enlight of the outcomes of a parental audit, as we delve into the needs and perceptions of such a service in its infancy.