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Leeds General Infirmary likely to resume child heart ops Leeds child heart op suspension remains after talks
(about 1 hour later)
Child heart surgery is likely to resume at Leeds General Infirmary after operations were suspended over concerns about the numbers of deaths there. Children's heart operations remain suspended at Leeds General Infirmary despite a day of talks about the future of the unit.
Operations were halted last Thursday after the NHS medical director said data showed mortality figures at the unit were higher than expected.Operations were halted last Thursday after the NHS medical director said data showed mortality figures at the unit were higher than expected.
The NHS medical director said it was "a highly responsible precautionary step". The BBC was initially told surgery was likely to resume but NHS England said the situation remained unchanged.
The BBC understands aspects of surgery are to resume following on-going talks with the hospital and NHS managers. Talks have been taking place between the hospital and NHS managers.
An official statement is due later. An NHS England spokesman said: "There is no change to the situation with regard to paediatric cardiac surgery at Leeds General Infirmary. The suspension remains in place and the review continues."
Leeds Teaching Trust NHS also confirmed that the suspension would remain in place.
A trust spokesman said: "There will be no statement issued this evening by Leeds Teaching Hospitals about the talks involving NHS England, the Care Quality Commission and the NHS Development Authority."
Surgery was suspended just 24 hours after a High Court ruling to keep the unit open.Surgery was suspended just 24 hours after a High Court ruling to keep the unit open.
Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of the NHS, said while the timing was "embarrassing", he had to act because data suggested a death rate twice the national average, and after concerns were raised about junior staff.
The hospital is at the centre of a long-running dispute over the future of children's heart services. An NHS review said surgery would be better focused at fewer, larger sites.The hospital is at the centre of a long-running dispute over the future of children's heart services. An NHS review said surgery would be better focused at fewer, larger sites.