‘Deep concern’ over postponed Leeds children’s heart surgery meeting

Published on 24/09/2012 07:00

THE charity fighting the closure of the children’s heart surgery unit at Leeds General Infirmary has said it is “deeply concerned” the new health minister has put back a meeting to discuss the decision.

The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund hopes to secure a compromise rather than fighting the decision in the courts, and was due to meet with Jeremy Hunt last week.

The director of the Charity, Sharon Cheng, said: “The charity and what we stand for has deep concerns for the people of the region and have opposed the closure of the Leeds surgery all along.

“We have consulted with lawyers as we believe this is a serious matter and this is not a decision we have taken lightly.

“I reiterate that we have not yet instructed our lawyers to commence proceedings on the Judicial Review and I am deeply concerned that the new Health Minister has postponed our meeting scheduled for this week to discuss the campaign as we would certainly prefer to secure a compromise rather than bring proceedings.”

There has been widespread public outcry since the decision was made on July 4, with almost 3,000 people attending a peaceful demonstration in Leeds and more than 600,000 people signing a petition supporting the children’s heart unit at the LGI,

Politicians from all parties have joined forces to voice their outrage and have written to the former Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.

The Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel, the group that represents councils from across the region, has also stated its intent to refer the decision to the Health Secretary.

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‘Deep concern’ over postponed Leeds children’s heart surgery meeting

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