THE family of a young York girl who underwent a major heart operation are calling for an eleventh hour show of support for surgery services in the region.
Margaux Barker was only three years old when she underwent surgery at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) to repair a hole in her heart.
Now, with child heart services facing a move to Newcastle from Leeds in a major NHS shake-up, Margaux’s mother, Myriam, has said she feels “devastated” that the unit might be lost to Yorkshire families – leaving them with the prospect of a two hour-trip to Tyneside.
After being born with an undiagnosed condition called an atrial septal defect, Margaux was taken to her GP in York, with a bad cough.
Myriam said: “We were referred straight away to a paediatrician at York Hospital and after a few tests, to Leeds General Infirmary.
“Our first appointment with a consultant from Leeds was at York Hospital, as LGI has a well-set up network that saves patients having to travel all the way to Leeds for each appointment.”
After assessments, the family was told that less invasive keyhole surgery was not an option and that Margaux would have to undergo open heart surgery to correct the defect. The procedure took place in April last year.
Myriam, 38, said: “Margaux’s experience of having an open-heart surgery was amazing. All day she looked forward to the next test, as unpleasant as it might be, as she was looking forward to having her next sticker saying “I’ve had a blood test’” or I’ve seen the doctor’” etc.
“On the day of the surgery, we were able to take our daughter down to theatre and she fell asleep in my husband’s arms, telling the anesthetist what flavours she could smell in the mask she had on her face.”
Margaux has now recovered and is back at home with her family in Tadcaster Road and doing well, but Myriam is no doubt how important to the region the team at Leeds is.
“The Children’s Heart Surgery units at the LGI are amazing places.
“The parents can stay on the ward 24/7 with their child and can also have accommodation close to the hospital when the children are in ICU.
“We now feel devastated at the idea that the unit might close,” she said.
Under the NHS’s plans for paediatric heart services, the facilities at Leeds could be moved to Newcastle as health bosses look to concentrate expertise and equipment in fewer centres around the country.
The decision has been hugely controversial and drawn criticism from parents and heart doctors. A campaign to keep the vital service at the LGI, yesterday reached the half-a-million mark on a petition.
A decision on the shake-up is expected next month.
To find out more and to sign the petition, visit chsf.org.uk/save-our-heart-surgery-unit
Commons debate
THE future of threatened children’s heart surgery services in our region will be the subject of a Parliamentary debate and vote on Thursday.
A number of Yorkshire MPs, including York Outer’s Julian Sturdy, have successfully secured the parliamentary session after a petition against the move of the vital service to Newcastle, reached the half-a-million signature mark.
Mr Sturdy said: “The Children’s Heart Unit at Leeds Infirmary carries out tremendous, and often life-saving, treatment every single day.”
Time to reconsider
THE mother of a York girl who underwent open heart surgery has called for a last-ditch change of mind over proposals to move children’s heart services from Leeds to Newcastle.
Margaux Barker was only three when she underwent surgery at Leeds General Infirmary to repair a hole in her heart.
The children’s heart unit was amazing, her mother, Miryam, said. “We now feel devastated at the idea that the unit might close.”
The Barkers are not alone. Half a million people have signed a petition opposing closure of the unit.
A number of Yorkshire MPs, including York Outer’s Julian Sturdy, have secured a parliamentary debate on the issue next week.
We hope that ministers listen to what people say, and reconsider their proposals.
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