Leicestershire LINk will be taking serious issue with a recent review, which appears to ignore the voice and views of the local population in deciding the possible future of Glenfield’s Paediatric Cardiac Care Service.

Despite overwhelming response from the East Midlands & West Midlands which supports the retention of the services at Glenfield hospital, the report appears to indicate that throughout the Country, Option B which removes the service from Glenfield is the favoured option.

The people of Leicestershire, Rutland and Leicester showed tremendous support for the retention of a locally based provision, on the information provided at the time. It now appears that by adjusting the criteria and figures a far less favourable outcome may emerge.

Eric Charlesworth, Joint LINk Paediatric Cardiac Task Group Chair said: “We are hugely disappointed at the latest report. Whilst it is recognised it has been one of the largest public consultations undertaken by the NHS, the conclusions seem to ignore the views of the patient population which overwhelmingly endorsed the retention of Glenfield Hospital. It is unacceptable that by manipulating the response data received, a very different outcome may emerge. We would urge as many people as possible to express their views in order that we can challenge the interpretations being taken by the Bureaucrats at the Department of Health which go totally against the Governments statements that the view of the public will be at the centre of all decisions”.

The public are encouraged once again to express their views by contacting their MP‘s and letting the LINk know their views. Although final decisions have yet to be made, it seems clear that this report will have significant impact on those decisions.

To share your views, please contact Kamini Patel on 0116 229 3019 or email Kamini@communitiesinpartnership.org.uk

Glenfield Hospital’s Nationally Renowned Service is under threat – Does this affect you?

If the Children’s Heart Surgery is no longer at Glenfield Hospital:

• The ECMO facility goes to Birmingham (ECMO provides oxygen until lungs have recovered and can be used for adults with severe cases of flu. ECMO is used when the lungs or heart are not working normally).
• Travel time will increase by 1.5 hours (by 6.2% of families) for those needing Children’s Heart Surgery.

Glenfield has a one in four chance of keeping its services and Leicestershire and Leicester LINk’s need YOUR views. It is vital we hear from as many people as possible, because we are in danger of losing crucial local services. Please join the medical staff, Heart Link and decision makers and tell them what you think.

Eric Charlesworth, Chair of the Paediatric Cardiac Care Working Group said “the opinions of the people of Leicester and Leicestershire will be vital in the LINk’s submission. Discussions with MPs and organisations throughout the East Midlands who receive the service are also being sought. This is the local population’s opportunity to let their views be clearly made and hear firsthand the arguments for and against the four options under consideration.”

For more information on how you can get involved and have your say, contact Kamini Patel on 0116 229 3029 or email kamini@communitiesinpartnership.org.uk