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Angry reaction to the proposed closure of children’s heart unit

However, numerous trusts said they will fight the decision.

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Sources indicated the loss of the surgery could have a massive impact on the entire trust and could result in the closure of the Brompton site in Chelsea, with the trust existing only on its sister site at Harefield hospital.

They have been told by NHS England that congenital heart disease (CHD) procedures will be carried out elsewhere from next April.

“Glenfield’s unit provides an excellent service and has united support from the local community, politicians and NHS officials”.

It said teams at the Royal Brompton had carried out more CHD procedures past year than any other centre in the country and its results had “met or exceeded” all the standards set out by regulators.

The call comes amid concerns over the standard of specialist heart treatment provided at the 13 hospitals across the country.

NHS chiefs say the decision, which is subject to consultation, was taken as the trust “does not meet the standards and is extremely unlikely to be able to do so”.

“We are very concerned about where alternative capacity in other hospitals could be found if this ill-conceived proposal were to proceed and are surprised that this information has not been made available already”, the trust said.

It does, however, safeguard the continuation of services at the two other London hospital performing paediatric congenital heart operations – Great Ormond Street and Evelina London, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS trust.

The Royal Brompton launched an immediate public offensive after NHS England said it was preparing to end child and adult congenital heart surgery at the hospital to improve safety.

In a statement, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS FT said that although it was “disappointed” by the decision, the care of patients was “paramount”.

Monitor Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS FT and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust’s progress towards meeting the standards.

Being born with serious heart defects is known as congenital heart disease or CHD.

Dr Jonathan Fielden, NHS England director of specialised commissioning and deputy national medical director, said: “Patients, families and staff need to be assured of sustainable, high quality services now, and into the future”.

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Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough MP Stuart Andrew, who has been one of those leading the campaign, said: “This review should be welcomed given that it is based on standards, and ensuring that patients have access to safe, high quality and sustainable care”.

Leeds General Infirmary