Commons call for rethink on child heart surgery

Health experts want surgery to be carried out at fewer centres to raise standards, and four options are currently being considered as to where services should be based – but only one would involve retaining surgery in Leeds.

Today MPs will urge the committee responsible for the review to consider fresh options in the wake of an outpouring of protestwhich saw 500,000 people sign a petition in support of the Leeds unit and concerns over the integrity of the process, with questions over the accuracy of information.

The want the current options to be re-evaluated to take into account travel times and population projections. If the Leeds unit closes, patients would have to travel to Liverpool, Newcastle or Leicester.

Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew, who secured today’s House of Commons debate, said: “The review should have been an opportunity to have an open, transparent and flawless assessment and consultation into the reconfiguration of children’s heart surgery units.

“Instead there is an overwhelming feeling that the process has been flawed, that judgments have been made based on incomplete or faulty evidence and the outcome pre-determined to favour certain institutions based on producer interests rather than patient interests.”

Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland said: “There have been significant concerns raised with the review and I am pleased that MPs from across the country will now have the opportunity to have their concerns with the review heard and considered in Parliament.”