Heart surgery unit at Leeds General Infirmary could be closed, mother terrified
A mother of a two-year-old girl with a terminal heart defect says she is frightened the heart surgery unit at Leeds General Infirmary could be closed. This unit is one of 11 under risk across England after a reassessment by health chiefs, who then said only six or seven heart surgery units were needed in the area.
LGI positions tenth out of the 11, reports says, and one place above John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, has already closed heart surgery on children.
Naomi and Shaun Wilkinson, of East Parade, Ilkley, says they are devastated at the news that they heard as surgeons in Leeds has helped save their daughter, Olivia’s life and have taken care of her since her birth last 2008.
After the child was born, she underwent 18 hours of surgery at LGI for hours. She was resuscitated twice during the operations in 2008 because surgeons massaged her heart to keep it beating.
Mrs Wilkinson, who has two other daughters, Megan, five, and Molly, nine months said it’s pretty terrifying really.
They are pretty floored to say the least. Obviously we had heard, and it’s been in the pipeline since last year. It’s either Leeds or Newcastle which is going one of them has to go.
Olivia’s next surgery is in the next 18 months and it’s just so uncertain.
Spporters who has signed an online petition, about more than a thousand, intended at stopping children’s heart surgery being moved from LGI. A public discussion is being held and the conclusion will be made in the autumn.
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