THE TRUST in charge of Harefield Hospital has won the right to challenge a consultation about a review of children's heart surgery.

The Royal Brompton and NHS Trust was granted permission to seek a High Court review of the Safe and Sustainable consultation, carried out by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT).

It suggested closing the children's heart surgery unit at the Royal Brompton in Chelsea, which would have knock on effects at Harefield Hospital in Hill End Road, including feeling the blow of a 10 percent drop in the trust's income.

The Trust claimed that options laid out in the consultation were flawed, making it unlawful.

A review will be held later this year.

Bob Bell, chief executive of the trust, said: "This is extremely good news, first and foremost for patients.

"We have always supported the principle that all babies and children who undergo heart surgery deserve the best possible care, but decisions about the future of such vital services have to be made on the basis of sound, objective evidence, and the decision-making process must, of course, be entirely transparent."

The JCPCT had said it would "robustly defend" the challenge.

Teresa Moss, Director of the National Specialised Commissioning Team, said: "The pooling expertise will help the NHS make further improvements to patient outcomes and deliver a truly excellent service."