Doors to Glenfield’s heart unit will remain open following an announcement today by NHS England.
NHS England (NHSE) announced that the threat to decommission heart services at the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre (EMCHC) has been lifted, meaning the centre will continue to provide lifesaving surgery for children and adults in the region.
The centre is home to the internationally-renowned ECMO (Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) service, which treats some of the sickest babies, children and adults in the country.
John Adler, Chief Executive at Leicester’s Hospitals, said:
John Adler: Decision is vote of confidence
“We are obviously delighted with the decision to continue commissioning EMCHC as a Level 1 congenital heart disease centre.
“The decision is a vote of confidence for our staff and service, and is great news for our NHS partners across the East Midlands network.
The future is now in our hands and this decision means that the clinical team can now focus on building a world class congenital heart service for people across the East Midlands and beyond.”
Karamjit Singh CBE, Chairman at Leicester’s Hospitals, added:
Karamjit Singh CBE: We acknowledge the fantastic support
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre staff for their incredible resilience and hard work to achieve and more importantly maintain the level of quality and service over this difficult period.”
“We would also like to acknowledge the fantastic support we have had from our stakeholders; patients, relatives, charities, local councils, NHS partners, MPs and media, their unwavering commitment has kept our spirits up during these uncertain times.”
East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre currently treats over 50% of the respiratory ECMO cases nationally, making it the busiest ECMO centre in the UK
Outcomes at the centre are excellent and above national averages, with 99% of families agreeing that they would recommend the service to their friends and family.
Aidan Bolger, Head of Service for East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre, said:
Dr Aiden Bolger: Delighted by decision
“I am delighted by the decision made by the NHS England board today.
“It puts an end to years of uncertainty, and is a testament to the professionalism, energy and determination of all the EMCHC staff that have fought to ensure our service delivers the highest quality of care to meet the required standards.
“Patients in the East Midlands can now be assured that they have access to a Congenital Heart Disease centre of excellence, as close to home as possible, and we can continue to offer our internationally renowned ECMO and mobile ECMO service to the whole of the UK.
“I look forward to focussing all our energy on growing our service and delivering our plan with the confidence to attract and retain the best specialised staff possible and working with our network partners, and NHS Specialised Commissioning to make EMCHC the centre of choice for patients with congenital heart disease.”
Doors to Glenfield’s heart unit will remain open following an announcement today by NHS England.
