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NI children's heart surgery 'should move from Belfast to Dublin' NI children's heart surgery 'should move from Belfast to Dublin'
(35 minutes later)
It has been recommended that children from Northern Ireland who require heart surgery should receive treatment in the Republic of Ireland as opposed to the current facility in Belfast. Children from Northern Ireland who require heart surgery should receive treatment in the Republic of Ireland as opposed to the current facility in Belfast, it has been recommended.
The move follows a report which said that, while safe, the service at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children is no longer sustainable. The move follows a report that said that, while safe, the service at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children is no longer sustainable.
The decision was announced at a public meeting a short time ago.The decision was announced at a public meeting a short time ago.
The report says children who require surgery should now travel to Dublin.The report says children who require surgery should now travel to Dublin.
For the past 12 months parents and members of the Children's Heartbeat Trust have campaigned vigorously for the retention of children's heart surgery in Northern Ireland.For the past 12 months parents and members of the Children's Heartbeat Trust have campaigned vigorously for the retention of children's heart surgery in Northern Ireland.
Last year a national report said that such centres across the United Kingdom must perform a minimum of 400 children's surgical procedures each year.Last year a national report said that such centres across the United Kingdom must perform a minimum of 400 children's surgical procedures each year.
Belfast currently falls short of that number.Belfast currently falls short of that number.
A working group now recommends an all-island service with children who require surgery now expected to travel to Our Lady's Children's hospital in Dublin instead.A working group now recommends an all-island service with children who require surgery now expected to travel to Our Lady's Children's hospital in Dublin instead.
Birmingham had also been cited as an option.Birmingham had also been cited as an option.
This is just a recommendation and a final decision must be taken by Northern Ireland's health minister Edwin Poots and Irish health minister James Reilly. Approval of the recommendation by health ministers in Northern Ireland and the Republic is expected to be a formality.