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Tieng Anh Vui
The results of a review into the decision to stop children's heart surgery at three hospitals in England will be published later.
The NHS plans to end surgery at Leeds General Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital in Leicester and the Royal Brompton in west London.
But there have been legal challenges and significant public opposition to the plans in the areas affected.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt ordered a review of the decision in October.
Repairing the hearts of children born with congenital defects is one of the most complex procedures in the NHS.
Ten hospitals currently perform the delicate surgery required, but the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts ruled expertise was spread too thinly.
It said surgery should be concentrated in seven specialist centres by 2014 in order to improve safety. They were:
- Great Ormond Street, London
- Evelina Children's Hospital, London
- Newcastle's Freeman Hospital
- Birmingham Children's Hospital
- Alder Hey, Liverpool
- The Royal Children's Hospital, Bristol
- Southampton General
The review is expected to be critical of the process used to select which hospitals would continue providing surgery.
Legal battles
Campaigners have been concerned at a loss of local services. Some families in the north of England could have to travel to either Newcastle or Liverpool if the Leeds unit is lost.
Legal challenges were also brought. The Royal Brompton lost its challenge against removing child heart surgery from the site.
Meanwhile, a High Court judge quashed the decision to stop surgery in Leeds. Mrs Justice Nicola Davies said aspects of the Leeds consultations were flawed and "ill judged".
Amid the tension around concentrating services in fewer hospitals, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt asked the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP), an advisory body, to assess the decision.
At the time, Lord Ribeiro, the chairman of the IRP, said: "The panel's key focus throughout the review will be children with congenital heart disease and the quality of care they need to receive.
"During the course of the review we will gather evidence from a range of people and listen to all interested parties to ensure that the recommendations we make are in the best interests of the children - and their families - across England that need to access these services."
It has reviewed the whole process for picking the seven hospitals. Evidence was gathered from local councils, NHS Trusts, parents, MPs and clinicians at all 10 sites.
The findings and the IRP's advice have been passed on to Mr Hunt.
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