Challenge to surgery decisions
NHS officials who made the decision to cut the number of children's heart surgery units in England from 11 to seven are facing further legal action.
The campaign group, Save our Surgery, in Leeds has filed for permission for a judicial review against the decision made by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts in July to close some units, which include those in Leicester's Glenfield Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary.
The campaign group is disputing the legality of the decision and questioning the decision-making process.
Sir Neil McKay, chairman of the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts, said: "The attempt to launch legal action flies in the face of the support our decision has received from Royal Colleges of medicine and expert doctors.
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"If the court decides it is necessary, we stand ready to defend our process and our decision with confidence."
NHS officials said that, in the meantime, planning for implementation would continue.
Campaigners fighting to save services at Glenfield Hospital are waiting to hear if Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will give the go-ahead for a full review.
A Department of Health spokesman said he was considering advice given to him by the Independent Reconfiguration Panel on September 21.
Meanwhile, an online petition calling for a review has hit more than 90,000 signatures, less than three months after it was set up.
If 10,000 more people add their names the matter could be debated in the House of Commons.
To sign the petition, visit:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/ petitions/35788
Comments
by Bob491
Friday, October 05 2012, 4:44PM
“I'm not surprised they are facing further legal action. This is really about the Con government dumbing down health services for the 95%, especially those living outside the south-east.”