CHILDREN’S heart surgery has been suspended at the John Radcliffe Hospital because of an investigation into the death of four children.

Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust (ORH) said: “We have temporarily suspended the paediatric cardiac surgery service while we investigate concerns that have been raised.

“Our investigations are likely to include an external review of the deaths of some very sick children (four children) who underwent surgery at our hospital in the last three to four months.”

ORH said the families of children awaiting cardiac surgery were being contacted and children who needed to be seen urgently would be treated at other hospitals.

A spokesman said: “We are reviewing each of these patients to ensure that they are not put at risk by any delay in their treatment.”

He added Oxford had been within “normal outcome ranges” for cardiac surgery, and continued: “This is one of the reasons why we felt it was necessary to take a close look at our service to ensure we continue to provide a high quality safe service for our children.

“Any hospital might, at some time, have a run of deaths in a service that provides treatment for patients who are very unwell.

“However, it is right that we take a pause while we look in to the individual cases, to see if there is anything to learn from them.”

Has your child had heart surgery at the John Radcliffe? Contact the Oxford Mail newsdesk on news@oxfordmail.co.uk