Hunt ready to reveal unit’s future

A FINAL decision on the future of children’s heart surgery in Yorkshire is now imminent as Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned MPs he “will not duck” tough decisions over service changes.

Amid mounting anticipation that an announcement on the future of the heart unit at Leeds General Infirmary could be made in the coming days, Mr Hunt told the Commons he has “full confidence” in the hospital.

Mr Hunt asked an independent panel to assess the controversial ‘safe and sustainable’ review of heart services, and received its report on April 30.

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“I am currently considering that advice, and will make my decision known shortly — perhaps very shortly,” he said yesterday.

Under intense questioning in the Commons from MPs from right across the region, Mr Hunt said he could not prejudice the outcome of the review, but that patient safety would remain his “primary concern”.