RCN comment on children’s cardiac services review

Published: 19 April 2012

Responding to today’s decision by the Court of Appeal  regarding children’s cardiac services, Royal College of Nursing Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said:

“Changing services is not easy, however the NHS must continue to work to ensure better outcomes for children with congenital heart disease in the future. The Royal College of Nursing believes that concentrating surgical expertise and developing networks of expert cardiology care will give children born with complex heart conditions the best quality of care. These children and their families should not have to wait any longer for urgent changes to be made to services.

“We understand these are difficult decisions, however these centres of expert care will ensure better outcomes for children and young people with congenital heart disease under the guidance of experienced and highly trained teams of nurses and surgeons.

“We believe today’s decision should not be seen as a reflection on the Royal Brompton Hospital, which is an internationally respected hospital. It has an excellent track record of being well managed and for providing the highest standards of patient care.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. For further information, please contact the RCN Media Office on 020 7647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit  http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media

2. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.