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Heart surgery appeal 'a disgrace'

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Campaigners have condemned a decision by NHS bosses to pursue another legal claim over plans for children's heart surgery in England.

NHS England, which has taken on responsibility for a review of children's heart services, is seeking leave to appeal a High Court decision last month which ruled in favour of campaigners from Leeds and said consultation in the matter was flawed.

The action was brought in the wake of a decision by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts last July to cut the number of hospitals providing surgery for children born with heart defects from 11 to seven, under a review called Safe and Sustainable.

Leicester's Glenfield Hospital, along with hospitals in Leeds, Oxford and the Royal Brompton, were earmarked for closure by the review panel.

In a statement, NHS England said: "We have been advised that there are good grounds for appeal and these points are set out in an application submitted to the Court of Appeal."

Adam Tansey, from Burbage, whose son Albert was born with half a heart, is among campaigners who have been fighting to keep children's heart surgery at Glenfield.

He said: "I am disappointed that NHS England feels this is necessary or beneficial. It is a huge waste of taxpayers' money. It appears the NHS has forgotten this is the people's service and seem intent on point-scoring at whatever expense rather than thinking about the children."

Fellow campaigner Robyn Lotto said: "We seem to have reached a point where the uncertainty is doing more harm and causing more distress than any potential benefit."

Eric Charlesworth, from the Leicester Mercury Patients' Panel, said: "The decision is a disgrace and the expenditure of going to appeal appalling."

Dr Aidan Bolger, a consultant in congenital heart disease at Glenfield Hospital, said: "Our priority is to continue supporting patients and their families through this uncertainty."

The findings of the Safe and Sustainable panel are being scrutinised by an independent panel, whose findings are due on April 30.

Dr Bolder said: "It seemed to understand the clinical concerns we raised with them about the process."


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