Andrew has welcomed the news that the future of congenital heart surgery in Leeds is now secure following the recent congenital heart disease review undertaken by the NHS.
Andrew has been campaigning hard alongside families, patients, local campaign groups and other local MPs to keep the children's heart unit at Leeds General Infirmary open since 2011, when the unit first came under threat of closure following a national review of congenital heart surgery. A number of concerns were raised about the review in 2011 and this recent review has been praised for its focus on additional support.
The NHS confirmed that Leeds will be one of ten hospitals across the country to provide specialist congenital heart surgery for both children and adults and has pledged to continue to support and monitor progress at Leeds; which should meet all required standards by 2019.
The review looked at securing the best outcomes for all patients; not just the lowest mortality rates but reduced disability and improved opportunities for survivors to lead an improved quality of life. It also looked at improving patient experience, as well as tackling variation through ensuring services across the country consistently met national standards.
Andrew says, “I welcome this news which will come as much needed relief to families and patients locally. We all recognised the importance of keeping this unit locally and that we had to work together to save Leeds Children’s Heart Unit. This campaign had cross-party support as well as support from across the region. I raised concerns about the proposed closure a number of times during debates in Parliament to highlight the potential impact on patients in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
“The original proposal was to close Leeds but continue surgery in places such as Newcastle, which would have meant a significant journey for local patients. I visited Leeds Children’s Heart Unit and spoke with many constituents who have had their children treated there. They all spoke highly of the service and how beneficial it was to have it located in our area.
“It simply wasn’t in the best interests of local residents to lose this unit and I called for an independent review of the decision at the time. Over half a million people signed a petition against the proposed closure yet this was only classed as one representation in the original consultation process!
“This latest review looked at addressing concerns about consistency and patient experience and has committed to ongoing support for the unit in Leeds. I recognise how hard staff have worked here and I hope that they will be reassured by the report’s findings and outcomes. I would like to pay tribute to all the patients, families, campaigners and staff that have worked so hard to save this unit – this outcome is testimony to their continued efforts.”
Photo - Andrew with representatives from the Save our Surgery campaign group and local MPs, Martin Vickers and Nic Dakin, presenting the petition to 10 Downing Street.
