Health: Cardiology

Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds Excerpts

Monday 24th October 2011 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[The Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they are making in the development of paediatric cardiac services in England.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Earl Howe)]

My Lords, the review of children’s congenital heart services is a clinically led NHS review, independent of government. The consultation ended on 1 July and an independent analysis of the responses and interim health impact assessment was published in August. The joint committee of primary care trusts expects to make a decision later this year. This will be based on an independent analysis of the consultation, reports from overview and scrutiny committees, a health impact assessment and other evidence from the consultation.

[The Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds]

My Lords, I am very grateful to the Minister for that Answer. Does he agree with me that, especially where children from deprived backgrounds are concerned, it is crucial that social and personal issues are considered alongside the clinical? Will he ensure that geographical proximity of services to children’s homes is taken into account when the time comes to make final decisions in this matter?

[Earl Howe]

I am grateful to the right reverend Prelate. All that he says is very pertinent. I am confident that the review will take those matters into account.