Angry reaction to the proposed closure of children's heart unit

Harborough MP Sir Edward Garnier backed the campaign to keep it open when it faced closure a few years ago and he said he will give it his backing again.

Cllr Ernie White, chair of Leicestershire’s health and wellbeing board and cabinet member for health, said: “This is the wrong decision, for the children and families who need these services.

“Glenfield’s unit provides an excellent service and has united support from the local community, politicians and NHS officials.

“Closing the unit is not justified at all. The work UHL (the hospitals trust) has been doing has been exactly in line with what the NHS required.

“I will be urgently seeking further information so I can fully understand the implications, on Glenfield and the wider NHS. We cannot afford to lose such a valued unit.”