CONSERVATIVE
New Forest East

HEALTH – SOUTHAMPTON PAEDIATRIC HEART UNIT - 10 January 2012

HEALTH – SOUTHAMPTON PAEDIATRIC HEART UNIT - 10 January 2012

Dr Julian Lewis: Although the paediatric heart unit at Southampton general hospital is rated the best in the country outside London, it was included in only one of four options under the review. In the past, the Minister has helpfully hinted he might not be confined to considering only those four options. Can he expand on that?

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Simon Burns): I can expand on it by saying that it will not be me who considers the options. As I have told my hon. Friend before, this is an independent review. However, as he suggests, the JCPCT may decide on four, six or seven possible sites. It all depends on what the consultation produces, and the clinical decision on what is the most appropriate number of sites, which will happen eventually. I congratulate my hon. Friend on his championing of Southampton general hospital as the local Member of Parliament.]