The future of Yorkshire's only child heart surgery unit has been secured with the announcement from NHS bosses today that the unit will be one of 10 hospitals nationally that can continue to provide congenital heart surgery for children and adults.
Following the announcement from NHS England regarding new Congenital Heart Disease standards, Julian Hartley, Chief Executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said:
“I am very pleased that NHS England has confirmed it will continue to commission a full range of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) services for children and adults from Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
“This is extremely positive news for our hardworking congenital heart team at Leeds General Infirmary and I would like to pay tribute to their professionalism and dedication.
“We have a high quality integrated CHD service at Leeds with excellent outcomes and our team have done an outstanding job demonstrating their enthusiasm and ability to comply with the rigorous new national standards.
“I know this news will also be extremely well received by our patients, families, fundraisers and stakeholders right across the Yorkshire and Humber region, including those who have campaigned in support of the Leeds service over many years.
“We have exciting plans to develop our service to fully meet the new standards and look forward to a bright future.”
Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Judith Blake, said:
“I welcome the news that NHS England is confirming that a full range of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) services for children and adults should continue to be provided from Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
“For families, staff and the wider community the news ends a long period of doubt. Many people have worked extremely hard to ensure Leeds retains this work, and I want to pay tribute to them all for their commitment and stalwart support for the campaign to keep a full range of CHD services in the city.”
Councillor Rebecca Charlwood, Leeds City Council Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adults, and Chair of Leeds Health and Wellbeing Board, said:
“Leeds has a wide variety of excellent health and care services, and I am delighted NHS England has recognised that the good quality work at Leeds Teaching Hospitals for both children and adults with congenital heart disease should continue.
“Support for the unit has come from across the political spectrum, as well as from across the whole community. I am very pleased this decision has been made and families across Leeds and beyond will continue to have access to these vital services.”
Sowerby Bridge Restaurants Scoop Top Industry Honours
Magical Day of Dragons and Fairies Coming to Cliffe Castle
Police Appeal After Two Vehicles Seized in Bradford
Leeds Pair Charged Over Alleged Illegal Knife Sales on Social Media
New Plan to Shape Future of Blackburn Railway Station
Police Renew Appeal 21 Years After Fatal Shipley Arson Attack
South Asian Art Exhibition Opens at Cartwright Hall
Drivers Caught Using Dead Man's Name to Avoid Motoring Fines
Four jailed after Leeds revenge plot ends in friend's death
Lane rental schemes to launch across Leeds, Wakefield and Kirklees
Bradford Council confirms traffic camera plans at busy junctions
Sixty arrests in Kirklees domestic abuse crackdown
Alim OnAir
Remix Saturdays
Bhangra Nights
Legal Show