12.06.13
Heart surgery closures suspended
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced that the Safe and Sustianable recommendations to close child heart surgery units at three hospitals in England will be suspended.
A review into the controversial decision-making process that led to the proposals found that there is a strong case for reconfiguring services, but that the outcome of the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trust (JCPCT) review was based on a flawed analysis. The closure programme will be cancelled.
The Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) assessed the JCPCT's decision to stop operations at Leeds General Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital in Leicester and the Royal Brompton in West London.
The JCPCT proposed the closures to concentrate surgery in seven specialist centres, improving the quality and safety of the care provided.
But campaign groups severely criticised the process by which the centres to close were chosen. Following a judicial review, a High Court judge rules that aspects of the Leeds consultation were flawed.
Hunt commissioned the IRP to review the process which led to the decision for closures.
At the time, Lord Ribeiro, the chairman of the IRP, said: “The panel's key focus throughout the review will be children with congenital heart disease and the quality of care they need to receive.
“During the course of the review we will gather evidence from a range of people and listen to all interested parties to ensure that the recommendations we make are in the best interests of the children – and their families – across England that need to access these services.”
NHS England will report back at the end of July on how it will proceed.
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