A DECISION which will determine the future of Oxfordshire’s children’s heart services is expected today.

The decision will affect where county children with heart problems receive surgery.

The Government ordered the Safe and Sustainable review after announcing there should be fewer, larger centres carrying out heart surgery on children.

Children’s heart surgery at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital stopped in 2010 after four deaths, but a link-up between services in Oxfordshire and surgeons at Southampton General Hospital has since been set up.

The Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT), put forward four options, one involving Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust.

A final decision will be announced in London at 4pm today.

Oxfordshire heart campaigners are hoping the option including Southampton – Option B – is picked.

Oxford-based charity Young Hearts, set up by parents of children with congenital heart problems, said: “Ever since the Safe and Sustainable review was instigated, we have campaigned to safeguard the needs of cardiac children, within the catchment area of the John Radcliffe Hospital.

“Travelling any great distance with an extremely sick child is not an easy option for any family.

“Although we recognise the need for change, all of our families have gone through significant extra stress by the uncertainty of this review.

“Without Southampton, our families will have to travel further to London, Bristol or Birmingham for scheduled operations, while maintaining regular check-ups with their cardiologist in Oxford.”