New from NHS on Leeds heart unit review: "support this process & allow it to take its course"

Here is the full statement


Subject: FW: NHS England Leeds Paediatric Cardiac Surgery
A spokesperson from NHS England, said:

"We agree with the Trust's decision to launch this review. It is really important that this review is carried out in a sensible, effective and decisive way. For that to happen it needs to follow a proper and complete process. It cannot be conducted in the media.

"If people have information to contribute that is important and it should all be given due consideration.

"The data and other information that triggered this precautionary pause have raised questions but they have not provided answers. That is the job of the review.

"It is important that the review is allowed to do its work properly and reach a decisive conclusion on behalf of patients.

"We would encourage everyone involved to support this process and allow it to take it's course."

Ends

Notes to editors

For Information, please find below NHS England's original statement sent on Thursday.

NHS ENGLAND PRAISES LEEDS HOSPITAL TRUST FOR PRECAUTIONARY PAUSE IN PAEDIATRIC CARDIAC SURGERY

"NHS England today (Thursday) praised Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for pausing paediatric cardiac surgery while checks are made to ensure the unit is operating safely.

"Sir Bruce Keogh, the Medical Director of NHS England, said: "The Trust has taken a highly responsible precautionary step. Some questions have been raised by the Trust's own mortality data and by other information. It is important to understand that while this information raises questions, it does not give us answers. But it is absolutely right not to take any risks while these matters are being looked into. The priority must be the safety of children. I hope that Leeds will shortly be in a position to restart children's heart surgery secure in the knowledge that everything is okay."

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