Tearful and angry parents went head-to-head with health chiefs in the opening round of the fight to save Oxford’s children’s heart unit.

Passionate pleas were made to “leave Oxford alone” by parents at a meeting about the centre’s future.

The paediatric heart unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital, one of 11 in the UK, has been told it could close.

The Government is looking at having fewer but larger heart centres across the country.

An independent panel appointed by the NHS is touring the country to hear the public’s views on the plans.

Many supporters of the unit warned having to transfer to a centre further away for specialist emergency treatment would put lives in danger.

Sean Barton, whose daughter Sophie, 16, from Steeple Aston, was saved by surgeons at the centre, said: “How many more children’s lives will this new programme save? One, two, three? Until you tell us that you have no right to be calling something safe.

“What we’ve got at the moment is safe, I can bring my daughter in here to prove that. What you need to prove to us is that this is safer.”

Kim Homewood, founder of Oxfordshire charity Young Hearts, said: “Oxford is fine, leave us alone.”

Clare Howard-Saunders, whose daughter Eliza, six, was also treated at the centre, said: “I came here tonight with an open mind. But I’m afraid I’m leaving with more questions than answers.”

Dr Neil Wilson, an interventional cardiologist at the JR, warned the plans could mean leading surgeons would leave the profession as they would be reluctant to relocate.

Prof Stephen Westaby, a world-famous cardiac surgeon based at the JR, was cheered as he asked the panel to consider investing more in Oxford and open one of the ‘super’ units in the city.

He said: “We are a university campus which can provide you with everything from foetal care, maternity, A&E, a children’s hospital, a helicopter pad, adult cardiac surgery and extensive facilities.

“Have fewer specialist centres with more surgeons if you must, but put them in the appropriate places.”

Recommendations will be drawn up over the next few months before a public consultation in the autumn.

  • An inquiry into JR heart surgery after four children died, will conclude next month.