The SA government has provided funding to expand a charity for kids with heart disease. 

HeartKids will receive $1 million over four years to support its specialised playgroup for early development, targeted mental health program for families and improve access to services in regional and remote areas.

Congenital heart disease affects around 200 babies born in South Australia every year, and often come in the form of disease with no known cure. 

HeartKids SA/NT state manager Tania Potts says remote and regional families will welcome the additional support under the funding boost.

“For a family that has to go to Melbourne for surgery, they're removed from their support networks for a long period of time,” she said.

“But if you add remote on top of that you have to come to Adelaide first for pre-admission, stay here longer, you're separated for longer.

“Costs increase, everything is that more complicated.

“To be able to deliver key support across regional South Australia will make that so much easier for families.”

More details are accessible here.