History of the PCNA
The PCNA was formed in 1990 by a group of London based nurses. The aim being to provide a format for the exchange of information and ideas regarding the work and experience of the relatively small number of nurses involved in the care of children with heart disease.
Over the years there have been many changes within the congenital heart disease specialty that have influenced the remit of the group and the work of the executive committee. Membership of the committee has also changed and now represents the majority of paediatric cardiac units in the UK and Southern Ireland. More recently we have opened up the association to other health care professionals to enhance the notion of interprofessionalism.
Key events such as the Bristol Royal Infirmary Inquiry in the late 1990's and the subsequent Kennedy Report (DH, 2001); the Victoria Climbie Inquiry (DH, 2003) and the publication of the National Service Frameworks (DH, 2004) have had a dramatic impact upon service delivery, professional practice and education throughout the NHS. We have also seen greater consultation and collaboration amongst all professional groups and the children, young people and their families.
Following discussions at the Annual General Meeting in April 2007 a notion was passed to change the name of the PCNA in line with changes occurring elsewhere in the speciality. In November of this year, 2007, we are planning to re-launch the PCNA as the 'Congenital Cardiac Nurses Association' in order to widen our remit to include health care professionals caring for the 'Grown-Up Congenital Heart' population. With this re-launch you will see a new look logo and a new contemporary website that will help to raise our profile and credibility within the community.
Kerry Cook
Chairperson of PCNA (re-elected April 2007)
