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Campaigners win high court challenge over children's heart surgery unit Campaigners win high court challenge over children's heart surgery unit
(35 minutes later)
Campaigners have won a high court challenge over proposed changes to children's heart surgery services in England.Campaigners have won a high court challenge over proposed changes to children's heart surgery services in England.
Save Our Surgery (SOS), which is trying to stop the closure of the heart unit at Leeds General Infirmary, argued the consultation process leading up to the changes was "unfair and procedurally flawed".Save Our Surgery (SOS), which is trying to stop the closure of the heart unit at Leeds General Infirmary, argued the consultation process leading up to the changes was "unfair and procedurally flawed".
On Thursday Mrs Justice Nicola Davies, sitting at London's high court, ruled that the challenge must succeed – but what the victory means for the future will be decided at a later date.On Thursday Mrs Justice Nicola Davies, sitting at London's high court, ruled that the challenge must succeed – but what the victory means for the future will be decided at a later date.
SOS said in a statement: "This judgment is in itself a victory for the people who fought to keep children's heart surgery services in Yorkshire, and to challenge what they knew to be a flawed and unjust process."SOS said in a statement: "This judgment is in itself a victory for the people who fought to keep children's heart surgery services in Yorkshire, and to challenge what they knew to be a flawed and unjust process."
Outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, a spokeswoman for the campaign, Sharon Cheng, said the ruling did not necessarily mean the Leeds heart unit was saved, and much would depend on what orders the judge decided to make when the matter returns to court later this month. A spokeswoman for the campaign, Sharon Cheng, said the ruling did not necessarily mean the Leeds heart unit was saved, and much would depend on what orders the judge decided to make when the matter returns to court later this month.
One possibility is that the judge will order fresh consultations, which could throw plans for the reorganisation of children's heart surgery around the country into delay and disarray.One possibility is that the judge will order fresh consultations, which could throw plans for the reorganisation of children's heart surgery around the country into delay and disarray.
Cheng said: "We have won this case on every point. It doesn't necessarily mean the heart surgery is saved, but fresh reconsideration will have to be given as to what is to happen next and the fight will go on. Outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Cheng said: "We have won this case on every point. It doesn't necessarily mean the heart surgery is saved, but fresh reconsideration will have to be given as to what is to happen next and the fight will go on.
"We knew it was time to fight because of the strength of feeling of families. The campaign started small, like David and Goliath, then grew and grew out of all proportions.""We knew it was time to fight because of the strength of feeling of families. The campaign started small, like David and Goliath, then grew and grew out of all proportions."