The team at Little Hearts Matter is saddened by the news that a number of children have died whilst undergoing cardiac surgery at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Our thoughts go out to the families who must be full of grief but also experiencing the added upset that their child may have died unnecessarily.
The charity applauds Oxford for closing the unit to surgery at this time whilst they undergo an investigation inot the circumstances of this tragedy.
This case, like cases before it, highlights the urgent need for congenital cardiac healthcare to be a top priority within the NHS and Government. The current Safe and Sustainable review, being undertaken across England, aims to make recommendations for a future service that will provide world class congenital cardiac care for all children, wherever they live.
Little Hearts Matter fully supports this review and the draft recommendation to build larger more sustainable, highly skilled and experienced surgical units where the patients' needs remain at the centre of care. The charity hopes that politicians from all parties will wholeheartedly back the proposed restructuring as it will be the greatest opportunity to ensure that children are given their best chance of life.
Suzie Hutchinson
Chief Executive