MPs to get vote over threatened closure of child heart unit

Amid anger at the proposals to shut several units to concentrate services in a smaller number of centres, MPs will be able to vote later this month to urge the Government to halt the whole review.

In the wake of the recent “pause” in the Government’s shake-up of the NHS – which led to the Government changing its plans – MPs are hoping to convince Ministers to re-think plans for children’s heart surgery.

They have been granted a three-hour debate on June 23, at the end of which they will vote on a motion which has yet to be finalised.

“What we’re seeking to achieve is a pause in the review and for the Government to start looking at it,” said Pudsey Tory MP Stuart Andrew.

Nearly 500,000 people have signed a petition to keep services in Leeds as NHS bosses consider plans to cut the number of centres providing heart surgery.

Health bosses argue that fewer but larger centres with more expertise would offer better care, but Leeds is included in only one of four potential configurations of care currently being discussed in a national consultation.

Campaigners have been arguing there is an overwhelming case for the Leeds unit to remain open, but similar campaigns have been launched in support of other centres. Although the review is being carried out by clinicians rather than politicians, MPs want the Government to step in and re-think whether moving to fewer centres is really the right move.

If the Leeds centre were to close, patients and their families would be forced to travel to Newcastle, Liverpool or Leicester for treatment, and MPs from all three parties have united against the plans.

Leeds North West Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland said cutting so many units should be challenged by MPs and addressed by Ministers.

A vote would not be binding on the Government but would put Ministers under pressure to act.