Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Service
The Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Service provides consultative and management services for referred patients with either a new diagnosis of heart failure, advanced heart failure or people with highly complex heart failure. The unit provides leadership for the statewide Heart Failure Service, which includes mentoring, education and consultation to other health practitioners.
Advanced Heart Failure
We assess, treat, educate and support patients living with heart failure. We will work with you to understand the condition and develop a plan for managing symptoms at home. We offer:
- inpatient assessment and education on heart failure
- post-discharge telephone follow up
- multi-disciplinary outpatient heart failure clinics
- telehealth heart failure clinics
- heart failure nurse practitioner and pharmacist clinic
- heart failure rehabilitation program
Our team of health professionals consists of nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, a social worker and a dietitian who work closely with your medical specialists and GP.
Cardiac transplant (heart transplant)
This service is for patients who have heart failure and require a cardiac transplant. The Unit provides ongoing expert case management to the post heart transplant population in Queensland and also provides ongoing advice and support to the primary care providers. The Unit also maintains close liaison with other transplant centres whose patients have migrated to Queensland and who are referred for ongoing management.
- Statewide service for end-stage Heart Failure patients referred for cardiac transplantation
- Multi-disciplinary inpatient and outpatient assessment
- Ongoing monitoring and support for all heart transplant recipients
- Outpatient Heart Transplant Clinic
- Heart Transplant Nurse Practitioner Clinic, including tele-health clinics
Ventricular assist device
The Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program is designed for patients with advanced heart failure who cannot undergo cardiac transplantation immediately to prevent their heart deteriorating further or sudden cardiac death. VAD is a surgical therapy for patients with end stage heart failure as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. It offers patients who would be otherwise excellent transplant candidates, an opportunity to wait for a suitable heart donation.
Heart failure support services
Our team of specialised healthcare professionals, support people with heart failure from early diagnosis through to the end stage of the disease. We provide support through:
- inpatient education and support
- post-discharge follow-up
- assess patients for referral their local heart failure service and other community services
- facilitate heart failure medication in partnership with their GP or the nurse practitioner
- heart failure rehabilitation program.
Patient stories
Kate’s heart and lung transplant
Born with congenital heart disease and diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension at a young age, Kate underwent transplant surgery at 28.
Amanda’s heart transplant
At 20 Amanda was diagnosed with her condition requiring a left ventricular assistance device until undergoing a heart transplant.
Jackie’s cardiomyopathy
Jackie led a normal life until she suddenly developed heart failure caused by cardiomyopathy after suffering pneumonia.
How to access this service
To access this service, your GP or medical practitioner will need to send a referral letter to the hospital.
If there is a waiting list for your outpatient appointment, you will receive a confirmation letter and be advised on what to do next. If there is no waiting list, you will receive an appointment booking letter or we will contact you to arrange a suitable time for your outpatient appointment.
Refer your patient
Refer to an outpatient clinic:
Heart failure referral guideline
Referral hotline:
1300 364 938
After your hospital appointment
Your doctor may advise that you require surgery. If this is the case you will be placed on a surgical waiting list and may need to attend the Pre-admission Clinic before your surgery.
What to bring
- Your Medicare card
- Private health insurance card (if you have one)
- Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
- Current medications (prescription, over the counter and herbal medicine)
- Relevant x-rays, scans or any other test results or reports
- Glasses, hearing aids and mobility aids
- Your appointment letter
- Any special items listed on your letter
- WorkCover claim number (if relevant)
- Snacks, a drink or money to buy refreshments
- Something to read or do while you wait
- An adult carer to support you and take you home
- Copy of Advanced Healthcare Directive or Enduring Power of Attorney (if you have one)
- A jacket or cardigan in case you get cold
- A dressing gown or cardigan, sleepwear or comfortable day clothes
- Slippers and shoes (low heel, closed-in, non-slip, adjustable and firm fitting around the foot)
- Your toiletries and personal items
- Copy of Advanced Healthcare Directive or Enduring Power of Attorney if you have one
- Something to read or do during your stay
- Medical devices required for your care (e.g. CPAP machine)
- Do not bring large amounts of cash or valuables such as jewellery, watches or other items of value to you
Clinics
Contact us
Heart and Lung Clinic
Location: Ground floor, Main Building, The Prince Charles Hospital
Phone: (07) 3139 4207
Email: HFSS_TPCH
Ward 1A and B
Location: Level 1, Main Building, The Prince Charles Hospital
Ward A phone::
(07) 3139 4398
Ward B phone::
(07) 3139 4428
Need help outside hours?
For non-urgent medical issues call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or visit your GP.
In an emergency call 000.
Refer a patient
To refer a patient to an outpatient clinic, please contact the Heart Support Service directly. Please refer to the heart failure referral guideline. Referral hotline: 1300 364 938