Last chance forsay on surgery

A public meeting has already been held in the city alongside a number of focus groups throughout NI.

A public consultation on heart surgery and other specialist interventional aspects of cardiac care will draw to a close at 5pm on Friday, December 21.

The Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) has urged everyone with an interest in the future of children’s cardiac surgery to ensure they have their say before the consultation period ends. A Working Group has been established to take forward the consultation process.

HSCB Director of Commissioning and Chair of the Working Group, Mr Dean Sullivan, thanked everyone who had responded to the consultation process to date.

Mr Sullivan said: “The consultation process is very important in ensuring the views of the public and stakeholders are heard. I would strongly encourage anyone who has not yet responded to the consultation to make a contribution.

“The Health and Social Care Board is committed to securing future arrangements that provide a high quality, safe, sustainable, accessible and timely service for children from Northern Ireland.”

The consultation document and response form can be accessed on the Board’s website at www.hscboard.hscni.net/consult/PCCS_Consultation.

Responses should be returned by email to [email protected] or in written form to: Paediatric Congenital Cardiac Services Consultation; Health and Social Care Board; 12-22 Linenhall St; Belfast; BT2 8BS.

Following the end of the consultation period, the Working Group will develop a post-consultation document, incorporating an analysis of responses for consideration by the Minister.