04/07/2012

Child Heart Surgery Units To Learn Of Fate

Hospitals that perform child heart surgery are due to learn which will have to stop performing operations.

There are currently 10 such units in England, but an official consultation has proposed that up to four should cease doing surgery.

An NHS review was carried out amid fears expertise was spread too thinly, and has already concluded surgery should be concentrated on fewer sites.

Centres in Leicester, Leeds, Newcastle, Southampton, Bristol and London are under threat.

However those that are told to stop surgery will still remain open and continue to see patients for diagnosis, monitoring and non-surgical treatment.

A decision is expected to be announced on Wednesday afternoon.

(H/GK)


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