Written Statement - Independent review of children’s cardiac services in Bristol

An independent review of children’s cardiac services in Bristol was triggered by the concerns of a number of families about the treatment and care received by their children. It was set up, in 2014, by the Medical Director of NHS England, to carry out a thorough review of children’s cardiac services at the hospital and its outreach clinics, to learn lessons and to contribute to the development of national standards of care. The review has been led by Eleanor Grey QC, an independent barrister who was formerly Counsel to the Bristol Royal Infirmary Public Inquiry into children’s heart surgery at the Bristol Royal Infirmary between 1984 and 1995.

The Review team has today (30 June), published its report. A copy can be accessed at: http://www.thebristolreview.co.uk/news.html. The report makes a number of recommendations which we will consider carefully over the course of the coming weeks.

The heart disease delivery plan, published in 2013, does not currently cover children’s services. It is currently in the process of being refreshed and the revised plan will include a section on paediatric cardiac services. We will ensure, where appropriate, any relevant recommendations from this review are incorporated.

I appreciate this may be a difficult time for the Welsh families affected by this report. I want to reassure those families we will be working closely with the NHS in Wales to ensure any lessons are learnt and shared.