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| Childrens' heart surgery closure delayed by watchdog panel | Childrens' heart surgery closure delayed by watchdog panel |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Controversial plans to end children's heart surgery at Leeds, which prompted a major demonstration this week, are to be referred to an independent panel before a final decision by the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley. | Controversial plans to end children's heart surgery at Leeds, which prompted a major demonstration this week, are to be referred to an independent panel before a final decision by the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley. |
| A prolonged hearing by Yorkshire's joint health overview and scrutiny committee, the regional watchdog made up of representatives from 15 local councils, agreed to trigger the procedure after listening both to anguished parents and NHS staff and the experts behind the report which recommends the shutdown. | A prolonged hearing by Yorkshire's joint health overview and scrutiny committee, the regional watchdog made up of representatives from 15 local councils, agreed to trigger the procedure after listening both to anguished parents and NHS staff and the experts behind the report which recommends the shutdown. |
| The referral, agreed unanimously, will delay arrangements to move children's heart surgery in the north to existing centres at the Freeman hospital in Newcastle and Alder Hey in Liverpool while the NHS's Independent Reconfiguration Panel deliberates. Leeds lost out in the study along with Leicester's Glenfield hospital and the Royal Brompton in London because of fears that expertise would be too thinly spread if the number of centres nationally exceeded seven. | The referral, agreed unanimously, will delay arrangements to move children's heart surgery in the north to existing centres at the Freeman hospital in Newcastle and Alder Hey in Liverpool while the NHS's Independent Reconfiguration Panel deliberates. Leeds lost out in the study along with Leicester's Glenfield hospital and the Royal Brompton in London because of fears that expertise would be too thinly spread if the number of centres nationally exceeded seven. |
| The other five remaining to deal with the annual average of 3,500 operations would would be Birmingham Children's Hospital, the Royal Children's Hospital in Bristol, Great Ormond Street and Evelina children's hospitals in London and Southampton General. Children in Scotland go to Glasgow and some from Northern Ireland to Dublin. | The other five remaining to deal with the annual average of 3,500 operations would would be Birmingham Children's Hospital, the Royal Children's Hospital in Bristol, Great Ormond Street and Evelina children's hospitals in London and Southampton General. Children in Scotland go to Glasgow and some from Northern Ireland to Dublin. |
| Three years' study of existing services was robustly defended by the man in charge, Sir Neil McKay, who said that the review by his Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts, representing 151 PCTS, had been one of the biggest ever conducted within the NHS. He told the meeting, which filled most seats in at Leeds Civic Hall banqueting room | Three years' study of existing services was robustly defended by the man in charge, Sir Neil McKay, who said that the review by his Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts, representing 151 PCTS, had been one of the biggest ever conducted within the NHS. He told the meeting, which filled most seats in at Leeds Civic Hall banqueting room |
| Every twist and turn of this review we've sought clinical advice on every aspect of the matter that's been deliberated. Please believe us, we have operated in good faith and we are determined that the standards and advice be converted into a plan that will provide across the country a service to be proud of. | Every twist and turn of this review we've sought clinical advice on every aspect of the matter that's been deliberated. Please believe us, we have operated in good faith and we are determined that the standards and advice be converted into a plan that will provide across the country a service to be proud of. |
| Dr Leslie Hamilton, from the NHS Safe & Sustainable Steering Group, which offered clinical advice on the issue, told the meeting: | Dr Leslie Hamilton, from the NHS Safe & Sustainable Steering Group, which offered clinical advice on the issue, told the meeting: |
| I would not be involved in anything that would put children at risk because I have devoted my career to this. | I would not be involved in anything that would put children at risk because I have devoted my career to this. |
Leeds, which would continue to provide pre-op and after care for children,has a long history of specialist heart surgery, notably pioneering artificial heart valves in the 1960s using tissue from pigs. The protesters believe that such expertise has not been diluted and that population distribution also argues for keeping the unit at the Leeds General Infirmary. | Leeds, which would continue to provide pre-op and after care for children,has a long history of specialist heart surgery, notably pioneering artificial heart valves in the 1960s using tissue from pigs. The protesters believe that such expertise has not been diluted and that population distribution also argues for keeping the unit at the Leeds General Infirmary. |
| Sharon Cheng, director of the Children's Heart Surgery Fund charity which is based in Leeds, told some 3000 marchers on Monday this week: | Sharon Cheng, director of the Children's Heart Surgery Fund charity which is based in Leeds, told some 3000 marchers on Monday this week: |
| We understand why larger, fewer centres would make sense but you have to put them where the population is. | We understand why larger, fewer centres would make sense but you have to put them where the population is. |
The rally also heard from local MPs from all parties including shadow chancellor Ed Balls, and a petition against closure has attracted 600,000 signatures. | The rally also heard from local MPs from all parties including shadow chancellor Ed Balls, and a petition against closure has attracted 600,000 signatures. |
| The decision, which follows the end of child surgery at Oxford's John Radcliffe hospital in 2010 after a number of deaths, has been backed by specialist doctors. In a joint statement, the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery said: | The decision, which follows the end of child surgery at Oxford's John Radcliffe hospital in 2010 after a number of deaths, has been backed by specialist doctors. In a joint statement, the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery said: |
| All surgeons want to be able to deliver the best quality of care for every patient. While we understand that people do not want to see the unit that is close to them close, the extensive review process indicates that improvements are achievable by concentrating children's heart surgery in fewer, larger units in England. | All surgeons want to be able to deliver the best quality of care for every patient. While we understand that people do not want to see the unit that is close to them close, the extensive review process indicates that improvements are achievable by concentrating children's heart surgery in fewer, larger units in England. |
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