Christchurch Hospital

The Christchurch ACHD service is run by cardiologist, Dr John Lainchbury, who is very experienced in the care of adults with congenital heart disease. John runs a weekly ACHD clinic at Christchurch Hospital together with ACHD nurse specialist, Suzanne Vree. There is also a twice yearly transition clinic with Dr Alex Binfield from the paediatric service, joined by Dr Tim Hornung and transition nurse specialist Christine Armstrong from Auckland.

If Dr Lainchbury is away, then one of the other Christchurch cardiologists will be contacted, or alternatively the ACHD team in Auckland may be contacted.

The cardiology department at Christchurch Hospital has excellent echo sonographers who are experienced scanning ACHD patients. Other tests like holter monitors, exercise tests, CT scans and MRI scans can also be done in Christchurch. Patients needing more complex congenital heart catheters will travel to Auckland for these tests.