AS the chairman of Borough of Poole’s health and social care overview and scrutiny committee, I would like to draw Echo readers’ attention to a review of children's congenital heart services in England.
The NHS is seeking the public’s views on four options to deliver these services at a maximum of seven surgical centres across the country. Only one of the four options included in the consultation would see these services retained at Southampton.
The Southampton unit is highly rated for its clinical quality and offers a full congenital cardiology service. Any decision to close the centre would result in patients having to travel to Bristol for the nearest available treatment.
It is the committee’s view that retaining services at Southampton is the only acceptable option and the alternatives would prejudice people living in Poole and the wider conurbation. The deadline for a response to the consultation is 1 July and I would urge everyone with an interest in local health services to have their say on the proposals.
Further information about the consultation and how to respond is available at specialisedservices.nhs.uk/ safeandsustainable CLLR THE REV CHARLES MEACHIN, chairman of health and social care overview and scrutiny committee, Borough of Poole
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