East Riding heart care cases face extra burden

A GREAT deal of the debate regarding the closure of the children’s heart surgery unit at Leeds has failed to highlight the difficulties of families with children needing surgery from Hull and the East Riding. Congenital heart defects, many of which are extremely serious, may need repeated surgical admissions, requiring follow-up into adult life.

A number of families both from Hull and outer areas of Holderness have contacted me. One family with four children, the youngest of whom has a possibly life-limiting condition, nearly had their mortgage foreclosed due to the financial pressure of repeated admissions to Leeds, journeys to Newcastle would prove even more costly and difficult. Roads from Hull to Newcastle do not bear any comparison with those to Leeds and in winter, journeys would be very difficult.

There is no direct rail link and in an emergency, families would not be able to benefit from discounted fares.

Pre-natal diagnosis of serious heart problems might necessitate mothers having to go to Newcastle to give birth, let alone emergency vehicles with new-born babies making a hazardous journey. The families I have met consider they have not been listened to. Cardiac surgery involves more than just technical expertise, families, including siblings of an ill child need to be cared for and relatives to give support.

The way parents feel about the handling of this whole issue makes it very likely they will exercise choice by not travelling to the Newcastle unit and go west instead to Liverpool.