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Mum speaks of joy at High Court decision
CELEBRATIONS: Rebecca Storm, Vaughn and Willow Pearce-Storm at their home in Hemingbrough. (BUY THIS PHOTO L9251TS) Picture: Tony Saxton
A devoted mum whose son has received vital surgery at Leeds General Infirmary has spoken of her relief that Save Our Surgery (SOS) had won the first stage of its High Court battle to retain services at LGI.
Hemingbrough mum Rebecca Storm, (BUY THIS PHOTO L9251TS), whose son Vaughn has received three vital operations at LGI, said the decision to review the plan to move services to Newcastle, was a boost.
She added: “This does not ensure the future of the unit, but it is a step in the right direction. We all now await to find out what the next step is. I cannot say how welcome this decision is and what it means to our family.
“It brings hope that my little boy has a better chance in surviving his condition. Vaughn is turning three on March 10 and this could not be a better birthday present. He has already had three life-saving operations at the Leeds unit and is now awaiting his fourth.”
She further added: “He now has sub-aortic stenosis with high aortic pressure, bordering on needing immediate surgery. His heart is coping with it now, but at any moment could decide it’s had enough. We are hoping that his heart can cope with such high pressures until he reaches adolescence when he can have a simpler operation.
“If not, the next operation is very complicated. However, we know that surgeons at Leeds hospital preform this type of complicated operation with great success. We will keep on fighting and hoping that this fantastic unit stays open.”
Save our surgery (SOS) won its High Court challenge to the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trust (JCPCT)’s decision to remove children’s heart surgery services from Leeds two weeks ago.
The ruling, handed down by the judge, found that the JCPCT’s process and decision were unlawful.
Sharon Cheng of Save Our Surgery said: “This judgment finally confirms what we have always believed: that the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts’ review process and decision to remove children’s heart surgery services from Leeds was unlawful.
“Winning this case in the High Court proves once and for all that the supposed consultation was a rubber stamping exercise conducted with an outcome in mind, with clinicians, MPs and patients fooled into feeling they had influence.”
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Tuesday 18 June 2013
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