The review, into the future of specialist heart services for children, argues that having fewer and larger surgical centres would improve outcomes for children with congenital heart disease.
This would mean stopping operations at four or five of the existing 11 child heart surgery units, although these centres would probably stay open and offer children’s cardiology services instead.
Under the proposals, all new larger centres would be required to have least four consultant congenital heart surgeons and would treat around 500 children each year.
This is intended to make sure urgent care is available round the clock because smaller centres with two or three surgeons are unable to guarantee care at all times of the day or night.
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