The award of the CCST will be based on satisfactory completion of the entire series of annual assessments. Changes in the practice of paediatric cardiology over the last two decades have necessitated a fresh definition of work patterns, training and required expertise. Paediatric cardiologists need to be trained in the investigation and treatment of patients with congenital or acquired heart disease, disorders of cardiac rhythm and conduction and disturbances of cardiac and circulatory function. The specialty provides a service from fetal life through childhood, into adulthood and needs close liaison with paediatrics and its subspecialties, cardiothoracic surgery, adult cardiology, obstetrics, radiology and pathology. Paediatric cardiology in the United Kingdom has always been an academic as well as clinical specialty and the paediatric cardiologist has a major role in the education of students, doctors, primary health care specialists, nurses and paramedical personnel.
Most paediatric cardiologists engage in basic or clinical research.
The skills required to practise paediatric cardiology are extensive and include electrocardiography, echocardiography and Doppler ultrasound, exercise testing and other imaging modalities as well as invasive methods such as catheterisation, angiocardiography and electrophysiology. The paediatric cardiologist must be expert in the treatment of arrhythmia s, insertion and management of pacemakers and interventional techniques such as balloon septostomy, balloon dilatation and occlusion of vessels or congenital defects. General Professional Training Entry into paediatric cardiology has been from both paediatrics and cardiology. A minimum of two years of general professional training plus MRCP or equivalent is the normal entry requirement for Higher Training in most of the medical specialties. It is likely therefore that it will be extended beyond the minimum two years.