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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) | |
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 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. |
Approval of the recommendation by health ministers in Northern Ireland and the Republic is expected to be a formality. |