Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development introduced the Regional Congenital Cardiac Network Strategy which had been developed by the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Congenital Cardiac Network Board.  A copy of the strategy was attached to the report along with the Network’s response to the Safe and Sustainable Consultation Document: A new vision for Children’s Congenital Heart Services in England.

Ruth Lund, Yorkshire and Humber Congenital Cardiac Network Manager was in attendance for this item along with Cathy Edwards.

The Committee was informed that the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Congenital Cardiac Network was established in 2005 and supported those with heart defects right through from detection of problems at the foetal stage to children’s and adults heart surgery and care.  It was the only network of its kind in the country and their work was recognised nationally.  The Strategy prepared set out the local position for the next two years and had consultation had taken place with all key stakeholders.  Key points of the strategy included the following:

• Effectiveness of the service and the reliance of early identification of problems.
• Commitment to ongoing support for patients and their parents.
• Support given to the regional centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, and support during the national review.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Early diagnosis and the ability to arrange delivery of babies at a specialist centre. 
• Issues surrounding early births and time to get to specialist care and emergency transfers.
• The outcome of the whole review would place a reliance on these kind of networks and the model in Yorkshire and Humber would be suitable for whatever option  was chosen although different network arrangements would have to be put in place.
• One of the SCG concerns was whether there would be a dilution of outreach services in the area.  17 outreach services were currently in operation and there was concern whether these could be maintained if Leeds was not selected.
• Issues relating to co-location of services.
• Scotland was not included in the review.  Members felt that Glasgow could have been used as an alternative option to Newcastle particularly to reach target numbers.  It was reported that Scotland would have its own review.
• The impact on services for adults if Leeds was not included in the preferred option.  There was a separate workstream associated with services for adults and although the same surgeons were usually involved, adult services were carried out by different cardiology teams.
• Provision of services for those with multiple health needs.  It was acknowledged that co-located services in Leeds were exemplary and something to aspire to.  This was taken into account during the preparation of the options but it was felt it was not given enough weighting.
• Greater weighting was given to issues such as ECMO provision than co-location or the network service.  The SCG had stressed the need of co-location and the value of the network at a national level to the JCPCT.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.