04 April 2013

EMBARGO ON PUBLICATION UNTIL 08.00 AM FRIDAY 5 APRIL 2013

Joint Statement on Leeds Hospital Children’s Heart Surgery

Following a productive multi-agency meeting to review the decision to suspend children’s cardiac surgery at Leeds General Infirmary, agreement was reached to work together to restart surgery on the site early next week subject to independent assurance of concerns raised.

The meeting involved NHS England, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the NHS Trust Development Authority, and the Care Quality Commission.

Over the course of the weekend all agencies will work together to provide sufficient assurance to all interested parties that this service is safe and can therefore re-open next week.

Maggie Boyle, Chief Executive of the Trust said: “I am extremely confident that this service is safe and effective and should recommence at the earliest opportunity. I want partner organisations to be as confident in the service as I am.”

Mike Bewick, Deputy Medical Director for NHS England said “The risk summit today has been extremely useful in moving a difficult situation forward constructively. We will play our full part in supporting the safe re-opening of the service at the earliest opportunity.”

ends

Note to editors

LTHT will not be offering interviews or facilities for recording video on Friday am. There will be no further briefing than this statement. Please contact the press office later for the latest position.

Issued by Ross Langford, 0113 206 4098 / 07717 805932