I get loads of press releases as part and parcel of running a blog. Normally to be honest they are too boring to read. Especially if they are from any kind of government body.

But in this case I thought it was actually very interesting. Indeed one of those very few occasions where anyone in the healthcare world wants to know what patients actually think.

So here goes!  According to Leicester Hospitals:

“Today marks the start of a three month consultation period of proposed standards for the New Congenital Heart Disease Review. The standards will dictate how congenital heart surgery is delivered by centres in the UK, including Leicester’s Hospitals.

An event will be held by NHS England in Leicester, on Friday 24 October to give supporters of the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre a chance to review the standards and find out how this review is different to the Safe and Sustainable review.

The New Congenital Heart Disease Review, being undertaken by NHS England, aims to drive high quality care for children and adults with congenital heart disease wherever they live. It was launched in June 2013 after the ‘Safe and Sustainable’ Review collapsed.

Giles Peek, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon for Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who supported our service and fought against ‘Safe and Sustainable’, which threatened to leave the East Midlands without a children’s heart surgery centre. Without this support, the new review would not have been commissioned and we might not have the bright future we have now.”

Giles continues, “We welcome NHS England’s up front approach and encourage as many people as possible from across the East Midlands to attend this event in Leicester. It is important that those who have supported our service and fought hard to keep it open understand what NHS England is proposing and how the service will be delivered.”

The event on 24 October will give patients, families and the public a chance to comment and provide feedback to NHS England on their proposed standards. The drop-in style session will take place from 2pm until 8pm and members of the review team will be on hand to answer any questions. The venue is yet to be confirmed by NHS England.

If you would like to register your interest for one of the consultation events or if you need further information, please contact the new CHD review team by:
Email: england.congenitalheart@nhs.net
Call: 0113 824 8232
Address: FAO: New CHD review team, NHS England, Floor 5E58, Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UE