The Ulster Unionist Party has expressed its disappointment at the announcement that local children’s cardiac services in the Royal Victoria Hospital are to close. The decision has been condemned as callous as the immediate impact of the removal of surgery is that, after December this year, more children from Northern Ireland will have to travel to England for elective surgery. This will be the position until appropriate capacity is actually in place in Dublin.
Robin Swann, who is Chair of the All Party Group on Congenital Heart Disease at Stormont, said;
“The recommendations within the report could at least be tolerable if parents and their families actually believed what is being promised. It may just about work in practice, but it will not meet the needs of families. Up until now parents may have been listened to, but they don’t feel their concerns have been heard this time.
“The Health Minister has promised a public consultation lasting 12 weeks, but given that the current arrangement between Belfast and Dublin, the Service Level Agreement (SLA), comes to an end in 10 weeks’ time, it is clear that his mind has already been made up and that this consultation already has a predetermined outcome. At the end of the SLA, more children from Northern Ireland requiring surgery will be transferred to a specialist centre in England.
“Jim Wells is cutting services in Belfast even though he is well aware that sufficient capacity in Dublin is still at least 18months away. It’s a reckless decision by him. At the very least he could have renewed the SLA.”
“I am concerned moreover that losing children’s’ heart services from Belfast will have a knock on impact on our remaining cardiology skills and associated services. It is essential that these are not only protected, but maintained and developed.
Ulster Unionist Party Health Spokesperson Jo-Anne Dobson said;
"Few issues are as emotive as children’s cardiac services. The decision to transfer the services from Belfast to Dublin will be disappointing, but we must still take some comfort that in a couple of years families will hopefully not have to routinely travel to England for surgery.
“I have been proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the families who for the last three years have made the journey to Stormont only to be met with reviews, reports and consultations. Their dedication and love for their children has remained undiminished.
“This is the mark of a committed group of parents who refuse to be ignored and will fight on for local heart surgery to be retained in Northern Ireland.
“The Minister has claimed that the new model will be focused on patient care and safety; it’s essential that this is followed through and that sufficient investment in resources will follow this decision.”