Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented the Committee with details of a range of views expressed by other key stakeholders including Hospital Trusts, BME communities and the general public.

The following were in attendance for this item:

• Judith Huntley – Cardiac Nurse, LTHT
• Elspeth Brown – Consultant Cardiologist, LTHT
• Kevin Watterson – Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon, LTHT and Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) Trustee
• Lois Brown – Parent

The following key issues were raised:

• Leeds could carry out the 400 required procedures now, but would require another surgeon.  Recruitment was not possible whilst the review was ongoing.
• The role and work of the CHSF.
• Leeds was one of only 2 centres in the country with fully co-located services.
• Mrs Brown gave the Committee an overview of her experiences and the difficulties she would face and would have faced if there was no provision in Leeds.
• The potential impact on cardiac services if cardiac surgery was carried out elsewhere.
• The loss of continual services from childhood through to adulthood as currently available in Leeds.

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

• The figure for 400 procedures was based on having a centre with 4 surgeons.
• It was felt the findings of the Ipsos/MORI survey were predictable due to the nature of the questions and the complicated nature of the survey.
• Lasting effects when mothers and babies are separated at birth.
• Cost effects on families having to make long journeys – CHSF did make contributions in some cases, the reality often meant less visiting.
• All networks across the country were given the same score in the proposed options even though Leeds was classed as exemplary.
• Further concern that the decisions were taken by a non-democratic process.  The JCPCT did not represent the people concerned.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.