NEWS RELEASE: Embargo: 00:01 hrs Tuesday 19 July 2011
Health Select Committee must investigate closure threat to Royal Brompton hospital says charity
The Health Select Committee has today been called on to launch an urgent inquiry into the proposal to axe children’s heart surgery at the Royal Brompton Hospital, a move that will result in the closure of all children’s services at the hospital.
Despite being ranked among the four best centres in Britain, Royal Brompton has been earmarked for closure. Such a decision flies in the face of any objective clinical assessment, says charity The Brompton Fountain.
The charity has written to Select Committee Chairman, Stephen Dorrell and asked the committee to examine the proposals arising from the safe and sustainable review of children’s heart services in the UK, which they say will result in a significant reconfiguration of healthcare in the UK.
The charity say the proposals place children’s lives at risk and dramatically reduce choices, access to and standards of healthcare.
They highlight the fact that:
- · Royal Brompton is a recognised centre of excellence with a world-wide reputation for the quality of its care and results
- · The hospital delivers a first-class service, not only to the children of London, but to many thousands of families and children right across Britain, who are referred to the hospital because of its recognised expertise
- · While countries such as France, Germany and USA have recognised and are investing in setting up specialist heart and lung centres, the only specialist centre in the UK is now threatened with closure.
Because of the relationship between and interdependence of different units at the hospital, the closure of heart surgery will lead to the closure of all children’s services, including its world-leading cystic fibrosis centre. The charity says it is clear the review has not attached sufficient weight to this collateral damage.
Furthermore, the review that proposed this measure found that Royal Brompton more than met all the national standards for care quality.
Dr Geoff Baldwin, deputy chairman of The Brompton Fountain says, “The decision to axe children’s heart surgery at Royal Brompton has been governed by geography rather than medical need and clinical excellence.
“It defies logic that a review designed to improve standards of children’s health care in the UK, could result in the closure of a recognised world-class centre of excellence and the UK’s only specialist heart and lung centre.
“Such a move is unsustainable on the grounds of clinical and medical evidence. This is particularly highlighted by the fact that closing children’s heart surgery at Royal Brompton will result in the two remaining London centres having to undertake more than the safe threshold of cases defined in the review.
“There is a straightforward solution. There is a clear cut case for retaining all three centres for child heart surgery in London, particularly as closures in other parts of the country and demographic changes in London and the South East will result in increased demand for such services.”
The charity represents thousands of patients and parents across Britain, who have benefited from the life-saving treatments and care provided by the hospital. Over 36,000 families are already supporting the campaign, which is also attracting the support of a growing number of MPs and political figures including Boris Johnson and the hospital’s MP, Greg Hands.
CONTACT: Mark Hastings 0788 418 1794
The Brompton Fountain
1 Love Lane
London
EC2V 7JN
Tel: 07590 250 561
Registered charity No: 1110339
Dear Mr Dorrell
As Chairman and trustees of the Brompton Fountain charity, we are writing to ask the Health Select Committee to undertake an urgent inquiry into the proposals made by the Safe & Sustainable review of children’s heart services in England.
The proposals represent a significant reconfiguration of healthcare. The national impact and far-reaching consequences of these recommendations necessitate they should be subject to proper Parliamentary scrutiny. We would also appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss our proposals for a practical and sustainable solution that delivers for the patient – the children.
The Parliamentary debate on 23 June highlighted widespread concerns about the review recommendations. Many of these run more deeply and broadly than personal or particular interest and relate directly to the optimal structures and standards necessary for better national provision.
This priority directly reflects our specific and deep concerns about the proposed closure of children’s heart surgery at the Royal Brompton Hospital, a move that will result in the closure of all children’s services at the hospital and threaten the viability and sustainability of the UK’s only specialist heart and lung centre. We believe the evidence shows such an outcome will not only restrict choice and access to expert care, but will place children’s lives at risk.
We firmly believe that change is needed; that action is overdue; that fewer, larger units is the answer and that objective, clinical evidence should govern the choice of which centres should be retained.
This makes the recommended closure of children’s heart surgery at Royal Brompton all the more puzzling:
- In each of the three objective criteria, the Royal Brompton was in the top four nationally – more than meeting the national standards for care quality
- Royal Brompton is a recognised centre of excellence with a world-wide reputation for the quality of its care and results and has pioneered many ground-breaking and world-leading medical advances.
- It delivers a first-class service, not only to the children of London, but to many thousands of families and children right across Britain, who are referred to the hospital because of its recognised expertise.
- It’s closure would leave London’s two remaining centres stretched to breaking point – with each having a case load at or over the safe threshold.
It seems perverse that at a time when countries like France, Germany and the USA have recognised the importance of and are investing in setting up specialist heart and lung centres, the UK is embarking on a course of action that will lead to the closure of its one specialist centre.
It is also clear the review has not attached sufficient weight to the collateral damage. Because of the relationship between and interdependence of different units at the hospital, the closure of heart surgery will lead to the closure of all children’s services, including its world-leading cystic fibrosis centre.
It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that one of the top four units in the country is to be axed, despite its size and quality, solely due its location.
There is a straightforward solution. There is a clear cut case for retaining all three centres for child heart surgery in London, particularly as closures in other parts of the country and demographic changes in London and the South East will result in increased demand for such services. This will save lives, safeguard medical expertise and save money.
Our charity represents thousands of patients and parents across Britain, who have benefited from the life-saving treatments and care provided by the hospital. Over 36,000 families are already supporting our campaign, which is also attracting the support of a growing number of MPs and political figures including Boris Johnson and the hospital’s MP, Greg Hands.
We very much look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Lord Jamie Borwick (Chairman)
Dr Geoff Baldwin (Deputy Chairman)
Dr Piers Daubeney (Trustee)
Ms Pilar Junco (Trustee)
Mr Martin Gudgeon (Trustee)
Ms Trudy Nickels (Director)
News Release
Contact: 0788 418 1794
Embargo: 00:01 hrs Friday 8 April 2011
Ending heart surgery at Royal Brompton risks children’s lives
All children’s services threatened with closure at world leading hospital
The proposal to axe children’s heart surgery at the Royal Brompton will put children's lives at risk, according to the patients’ charity The Brompton Fountain, which today launches a campaign to save the hospital’s children’s heart surgery unit.
The charity says shutting the children’s heart unit defies medical logic and is not supported by the facts and figures in the review that makes the closure recommendation. They highlight three key facts:
- Royal Brompton is a world renowned centre of excellence - with four specialist surgeons carrying out around 450 children’s heart operations a year.
- Removing heart surgery will lead to the closure of all children’s services at the hospital – including the world leading Cystic Fibrosis centre. These units depend on each other; lose one and the rest will follow.
- The closure will lead to an unprecedented surge in patients at London’s two remaining specialist units, taking them over what is considered the safe threshold for cases.
The charity says that analysis of figures in the review shows a clear cut case for keeping all three specialist children’s heart surgery units in London, which will save lives, safeguard medical expertise and save money.
Royal Brompton’s children’s heart unit is threatened with closure following the publication in February of a review of children’s heart services in England - Safe and Sustainable.
Dr Geoff Baldwin of the Brompton Fountain said, “The Royal Brompton is recognised around the world as a centre of excellence delivering the very highest standards of care to sick children and support to parents. More to the point, it is one of only two centres nationally that meets all of the standards for excellence laid down by the review.
“It beggars belief it has been earmarked for closure. It is bizarre that a review designed to improve children’s heart surgery should propose closing one of the leading centres in the UK, if not the world.
“The review also ignores the knock-on effects of closure. Each part of the hospital is dependent on another. Closing children’s heart surgery will inevitably lead to the closure of all children’s services at the hospital – including the world renowned Cystic Fibrosis unit. You can’t remove one brick from the wall without weakening the whole structure.
“This closure would leave the two remaining specialist centres in London stretched to breaking point. Closing Royal Brompton will lead to a huge surge in demand and will take their case load over the safe threshold. We consider this to be an unnecessary gamble with children’s lives. The solution is simple. There is a clear cut case for retaining three specialist centres in London.”
The review proposes closing a total of up to five units around the UK and that the three centres currently specialising in children’s heart surgery in London – Great Ormond St, Royal Brompton and Evelina Children’s Hospital – should be reduced to two – Great Ormond St and Evelina Children’s Hospital.
The review states that in order to reach the necessary standards of excellence any unit should be undertaking a minimum of 400 heart operations a year and ideally 500. Anything under 400 or over 800 is considered to equate to a higher risk to patients.
The charity points out that reducing the number of London centres to two would mean each having to undertake more than the review identified as the upper safe threshold of 800 cases a year. They also highlight the fact that it would mean Evelina Children’s Hospital having to more than double its current case load of 337 cases. According to analysis by the charity of the figures in the review, retaining three centres in London would mean each one undertaking around 500, which the review said was the ideal number.
The charity also say the review shows the additional investment required to make such a change would result in additional costs to the NHS of over £19 million.
Contact: Mark Hastings Tel: 0788 418 1794
Available for interview
Six parents of children who have been treated with life-saving operations by Royal Brompton’s specialist team are available for interview and comment.
Notes to Editors
The Brompton Fountain is an independent charity the supports and represents patients and parents of children treated at the Royal Brompton Hospital.
London Mayor, Boris Johnson and Local MP Greg Hands, PPS to George Osborne, are supporting the campaign.
Over 8,000 people from across London and the South of England have already signed up to support the campaign and are lobbying MPs in their constituencies.
Download our 10 key points and campaign leaflet.
PRESS RELEASE
Friday 25th March, 2011
Mayor supports 'great' hospital at Question Time
London Mayor Boris Johnson has agreed to meet Royal Brompton Hospital supporters, after hearing how the proposed closure of children's cardiac surgery threatens many patients living with serious conditions. Speaking during this week's Mayor's Question Time, Mr Johnson declared his absolute support for clinicians, doctors and specialists at the 'great' hospital. His comments come less than a week after a unanimous agreement by London Assembly Members to write to the Health Secretary about the review of children's cardiac surgery. Mr Johnson was responding to questions from LA Member Victoria Borwick on Wednesday 23 March, following last month's recommendations from the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT) that children's heart surgery at Royal Brompton should be discontinued. The proposals come despite a report which put Royal Brompton fourth out of ten in a national assessment of all children's heart surgery centres in England. Mr Johnson agreed to meet a delegation of experts from the Trust stressing his commitment to the best clinical outcomes for people living in London. The Chair of the London Assembly is writing to Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, after hearing last week how closing the children's heart surgery unit at Royal Brompton Hospital will have serious knock-on effects for people with heart and lung conditions, and on related health services. Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust is the largest specialist heart and lung centre in the UK and among the largest such centres in Europe. The Trust's paediatric cardiac surgery service has an excellent safety record and paediatric mortality rates are less than half the national average (0.9% versus 2%). The Trust has issued legal proceedings against the JCPCT in respect of the proposal to end paediatric cardiac surgery at Royal Brompton Hospital, as part of the 'Safe and Sustainable' review. The Trust's board believes that the recommended options put to public consultation are fundamentally flawed, such that a consultation based on them would be unlawful. The Trust is now applying for judicial review, challenging the legality of the consultation.
For further information, please contact:
Jessica Mangold,
Head of Media Relations
Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust
Tel: 020 7351 8672 (Brompton), Tel: 01895 828 877 (Harefield)
Mobile: 07866 536 345
Email: J.Mangold@rbht.nhs.uk
Mum tells BBC why she supports Brompton Fountain
Thursday 17th March
Mum Kerry Mitchell has spoken to BBC radio about the care her son received at Royal Brompton, inviting listeners to sign the petition to keep childrenís heart surgery at the hospital.
Kerry is organising a fundraising ball on Saturday for the Brompton Fountain and was interviewed on BBC Radio Three Counties by Ronnie Barbour for his lunchtime show.
To hear the interview visit the BBC website and listen again to The Other One Show on Tuesday 15 March. The interview with Kerry is available 60 minutes into the recording.
A consultation event on the future of childrenís heart surgery is taking place for young people aged 11 to 19 years this weekend Saturday 19th March at Charing Cross Hotel from in London, from 11am-1pm. Download a poster for this event. A second event for anyone with an interest in the future of children's heart services, including parents/carers is being held on May 7th at the Emirates Stadium. To register for either session please visit the NHS Specialised Services website.
PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday 16 March, 2011
London Assembly condemns plans to close children's heart surgery at Royal Brompton
Politicians at the London Assembly have condemned recommendations to stop children's heart surgery at Royal Brompton Hospital, unanimously calling on Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to rethink proposals. Assembly members agreed to write to the Secretary of State after hearing today (March 16) how the loss of the paediatric cardiac surgery unit at the hospital will threaten patients living with a range of serious conditions.
The Chair of the Assembly will write to the Health Secretary after hearing about a proposed reconfiguration by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts last month. The JCPCT has recommended children's heart services at Royal Brompton are discontinued, despite an assessment report which gave the hospital a weighted score of joint fourth out of ten, of all centres in England.
A Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: 'We believe the recommendations put forward for consultation by the JCPCT are fundamentally flawed and very much welcome this backing from the Assembly.'
Closing the children's heart surgery unit at Royal Brompton Hospital will have serious knock-on effects for people with heart and lung conditions, and on related health services, the London Assembly warned today. The Trust's paediatric cardiac surgery service has an excellent safety record and paediatric mortality rates are less than half the national average (0.9% versus 2%).
Victoria Borwick, Assembly Member who proposed the motion, said: ìThis specialist unit at the Royal Brompton has saved the lives of so many children in London and continues to be a vital service for many families. The proposal to close it has come at the eleventh hour, with no medical reasoning to support it. 'This is the only centre in London that offers cradle to adulthood care for people with serious heart and lung problems. Closing it defies all logic and would have grievous and far-reaching consequences.'
The motion was seconded by Caroline Pidgeon, Assembly Member, who said: 'The decision to close such a high-performing centre simply makes no sense. It fails to take into account the impact on people treated there, and the knock-on effects the loss of a specialist unit has on the other health services that work alongside it. ìThe Royal Brompton has put forward an alternative proposal to join up its services with similar centres at two other London hospitals. Surely this is a more sensible option than just closing this life-saving centre.'