A DEBATE on the future of the Leeds Children’s Heart Unit is being called for by an MP.

Stuart Andrew, MP for Horsforth and Aireborough, raised the issue in Parliament last week and stressed the importance of continuing to support the unit.

Following the closing of the NHS England consultation on the provision of the congenital heart surgery, the unit said it was fully confident that it would be able to meet the necessary safety standards. But Mr Andrew stressed the importance of funding to allow the standards to be met across the country.

He said: “The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund would like to see funding adjusted to ensure all units start the new regime with a level playing field. They have recommended that this should be a key standard as doctors and money should follow patients and not the other way around. I am working with Yorkshire MPs to emphasise how important it is the Children’s Heart Unit receives the support it deserves.”