Heart unit closure decision faces legal challenge

CAMPAIGNERS are poised to launch a legal challenge against the decision to end children’s heart surgery in Leeds.

The NHS’s Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts sparked fury in July when it earmarked the Leeds General Infirmary service for the axe.

Now the LGI-based Children’s Heart Surgery Fund charity looks set to fight the decision through the courts.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The NHS joint committee said yesterday that the charity had instructed lawyers to seek a judicial review of July’s ruling.

Ending children’s heart surgery in Leeds would mean young patients from Yorkshire having to travel to Newcastle, Birmingham and Liverpool for treatment.

The decision to axe the service followed a wide-ranging review of the 10 centres in England that carry out paediatric cardiac operations.

Joint committee chairman Sir Neil McKay yesterday described the prospect of a legal challenge as “deeply regrettable”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “Considering the scale of this review, the campaign group’s litigation focuses on a very limited element of the overall process.

“Legal action will be costly for both sides and is deeply regrettable.”

The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund did not respond to a request for a comment.