Calls For All-Ireland Cardiac Service

Stormont Health Minister Edwin Poots has confirmed that he is open to the possibility for an all-Ireland cardiac service.

The minister has been discussing the issue with his Dublin counterpart, James Reilly, and told the Assembly he could not ignore the advice of professionals on the matter.

Earlier this year, a UK-wide review concluded that, although the service currently offered at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children is safe, it is not sustainable.

This could mean that, in future, more children would have to travel to mainland Britain for life-saving surgery.

Mr Poots explained that a cross-border network would be advantageous for children throughout the island of Ireland.

More than 50,000 people have signed a petition campaigning to keep the service open in Belfast.

Speaking before the Assembly, SDLP leader Alistair McDonnell stated that an all-Ireland service would be the best option.

The former GP said: "Surgery of any kind is traumatic. It is especially so for a young child. It is also deeply traumatic and stressful for the parents and family of that child.

"This stress is heightened to unimaginable levels if a family is forced to travel to Birmingham or London for this often lifesaving surgery to take place. It places considerable strain on absent family members."

Mr Poots spoke on the issue today as a consultation begins to decide what should happen in the future regarding children living in Northern Ireland who require specialist care.

He said he wanted to consider all possibilities before the consultation ends in December, and will consider its findings before making a decision in early 2013.

(IT)