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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Children's heart surgery: Edwin Poots announces review | Children's heart surgery: Edwin Poots announces review |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| An international team of experts will assess the current and future needs for children's heart surgery in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. | An international team of experts will assess the current and future needs for children's heart surgery in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. |
| The review has been commissioned by health ministers in both jurisdictions amid fears that Belfast could lose its children's cardiac unit. | The review has been commissioned by health ministers in both jurisdictions amid fears that Belfast could lose its children's cardiac unit. |
| In the meantime Dublin will continue to support Belfast. | In the meantime Dublin will continue to support Belfast. |
| Current arrangements will remain in place for at least six months while the review is carried out. | Current arrangements will remain in place for at least six months while the review is carried out. |
| It is significant that it has been commissioned by both health ministers - Edwin Poots in the north and his southern counterpart, Dr James Reilly - an indication of just how positive and productive relations are between the men. | It is significant that it has been commissioned by both health ministers - Edwin Poots in the north and his southern counterpart, Dr James Reilly - an indication of just how positive and productive relations are between the men. |
| The international team will be chaired by Dr John Mayer, a consultant cardiac surgeon at Boston's children's hospital. | The international team will be chaired by Dr John Mayer, a consultant cardiac surgeon at Boston's children's hospital. |
| Third specialist | Third specialist |
| He will be joined by another expert from the USA. . | He will be joined by another expert from the USA. . |
| A third specialist has still to be named. | A third specialist has still to be named. |
| The review will examine the need for cardiology and cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease on an all-island basis. | The review will examine the need for cardiology and cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease on an all-island basis. |
| It is to be completed and handed to both ministers by June next year. | It is to be completed and handed to both ministers by June next year. |
| Mr Poots announced the review in the assembly on Monday. | Mr Poots announced the review in the assembly on Monday. |
| Belfast's lead surgeon Prof Freddie Woods retires this week. | Belfast's lead surgeon Prof Freddie Woods retires this week. |
| There will only be one remaining paediatric surgeon at the Clark Clinic in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. | There will only be one remaining paediatric surgeon at the Clark Clinic in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. |
| Therefore, Belfast will be relying on surgeons from Dublin to keep the surgical unit in Belfast open. | Therefore, Belfast will be relying on surgeons from Dublin to keep the surgical unit in Belfast open. |
| Northern Ireland health officials have been trying to devise a rota that would include surgeons who work at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Dublin. | Northern Ireland health officials have been trying to devise a rota that would include surgeons who work at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Dublin. |
| 'Not weakened' | |
| Under that arrangement, surgeons from Dublin would have to agree to travel to Belfast at least one day a week. | Under that arrangement, surgeons from Dublin would have to agree to travel to Belfast at least one day a week. |
| The SDLP's Fearghal McKinney said it was positive that, in the short term, paediatric cardiac surgery would be retained in Belfast, assisted by expert medical help from Dublin. | |
| "However, he (Edwin Poots) must now ensure that the quality of service by the presiding medical team in Belfast is not weakened during this interim period." | |
| Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann said: "We thank the minister for establishing a team of clinicians, rather than managers, for the assessment. | |
| "While this wasn't the announcement many expected, or wanted, today, it is positive that we are another step closer to reaching a final decision on the future of paediatric congenital cardiac services in Belfast." | |
| Children's Heartbeat provides support to Northern Ireland families affected by heart disease in children. | Children's Heartbeat provides support to Northern Ireland families affected by heart disease in children. |
| The group said: "We welcome the minister's announcement that an all-island assessment of children's heart surgical service has been commissioned and which is specifically tailored to address the needs of children and adults with congenital heart disease in Northern Ireland." | The group said: "We welcome the minister's announcement that an all-island assessment of children's heart surgical service has been commissioned and which is specifically tailored to address the needs of children and adults with congenital heart disease in Northern Ireland." |