Consultation around children’s cardiac services

Great Ormond Street Hospital supports the recent review into children’s cardiac surgery and the four options recommended.

We believe the review has set out the right principles and that fewer, larger centres carrying out cardiac surgery will mean better outcomes for patients, with local centres continuing to provide follow up appointments close to the patients’ home.

We are warmly encouraging our families and staff to respond to the public consultation and support Great Ormond Street Hospital for the following reasons:

• We are the largest centre in the UK for children’s cardiac surgery
• We already carry out the recommended number of surgical procedures required to be a Specialist Surgical Centre (we carry out around 600 where the minimum recommended by the review is 400)
• We already have the recommended number of cardiac surgeons on site required to be a Specialist Surgical Centre (we have five, where the review recommends a minimum of four)
• We are the only paediatric hospital in the UK to offer the full range of National Commissioning Group (NCG) cardiac services. These are ECMO, bridge to transplant, heart transplant, tracheal services and pulmonary hypertension
• We recognise that many patients with heart problems require the expert care of different clinical teams.  We have over 50 clinical specialities based under one roof at the Trust

Dr Jane Collins, chief executive, Great Ormond Street Hospital said: “We would appreciate all support from our families and staff in responding to the public consultation, especially those with direct experience of our cardiac services.

“The review recommended that we remain one of two London centres, and whilst we strongly support this we are not complacent.  It is important the voices of our families and staff are heard, not only for the future of our hospital but more broadly for the future of children’s cardiac services across the UK.”

The full consultation document can be found online by visiting the Safe and Sustainable website. The response form can be completed by visiting:

• www.ipsos-mori.com/safeandsustainable

There are also a number of public events being held, offering families the chance to find out more about the proposed options for change.

A useful update from the consultation team highlights particular issues around London

http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/pressoffice/pressrelease_00930

Contact information:

For further information please contact Hayley Dodman or Stephen Cox, Great Ormond Street Hospital press office on 0207 239 3126 or email dodmah@gosh.nhs.uk