Call for action over child heart surgery review

MINISTERS have been urged to step in to a review which could see children’s heart surgery services axed in Yorkshire.

Health chiefs are considering plans to reconfigure heart surgery for children in England which could result in operations at Leeds Children’s Hospital ending and patients being forced to travel to Newcastle, Liverpool or the Midlands. Retaining services in Leeds is among only one of four options despite a petition backing care signed by 600,000 people.

Leeds City Council yesterday demanded the Government ensure the process was “fair and transparent”, claiming information being considered by officials had not been made available to the public or elected representatives.

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Deputy leader Coun Judith Blake said there had been a huge public outcry about the plans and added: “They need to be reassured that the process is being handled in the correct manner, that all information and issues are being examined and that the true strength of feeling of people has been recognised.

“That is why we have asked the Government to re-examine the process and ensure that the decision made is the right one.”