SPIN doctors: More spent on PR than review into heart surgery

Health chiefs will tomorrow choose the locations where life-saving surgery will be performed under changes designed to improve outcomes by concentrating services in a smaller number of centres.

Campaigners fear surgery could be axed in Yorkshire forcing hundreds of youngsters to travel to units in Newcastle, Liverpool or the Midlands.

Four options were originally set out but the retention of services at Leeds General Infirmary was proposed in only one which was the least favoured option.

Now the Yorkshire Post understands at least 10 different configurations will be looked at, although it remains unclear how many incorporate Leeds.

Meanwhile, an investigation by a businessman from Leeds, whose grandson has undergone several heart operations at the infirmary, has found the Safe and Sustainable review cost nearly £1.7m to the end of 2011 – with the largest amount totalling £700,000 spent on public relations and advertising.

Bob Ward, who uncovered the details in a Freedom of Information request, was told £738,000 had been spent on public relations and advertising and a further £383,00 on public consultation meetings. But reviews by an expert panel only accounted for £301,000.

Mr Ward said: “I find it puzzling that more was spent on PR than Continued on Page 2.