An extensive review called over the working of the children’s heart surgery faculty has found that the surgeons are not doing enough to gain expertise in the field. It has come to light that last year, only 90 surgeries were undertaken in Belfast.

The review was called by the Health Minister Edwin Poots in the month of March. Health & Social Care Board and Public Health Agency commissioned the review in which many clinical specialists and a parent group representative were also involved.

During the review, the officials looked at the services rendered by the children’s cardiac units in England. The findings of the review provide guidelines to help authorities in improving the services and facilities so that greater care services could be offered to the patients.

The review panel gave a two day visit in Belfast. During the review, the panel met the clinicians, trust managers and the representatives of patients. The review panel applauded the services offered to the babies born with heart related problems.

Many of the services and faculty was appraised by the panel during the review. However, no safety related concern was highlighted by the panel. But still, the review panel has suggested that the cardiac services from Belfast should be shifted to a centre in England.