"WE KEEP winning the battle".
These are the words from one of many campaigners delighted in the wake of Heath Secretary Jeremy Hunt's announcement to suspend a review that originally decided to close Leeds children's heart unit.
In the House of Commons today, Mr Hunt stated that he agreed with an Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) report that the outcome had been based on a "flawed analysis and incomplete proposals".
As reported, the Leeds unit, which so many children across North East Lincolnshire have received life-saving surgery at, was threatened with closure last year after a decision was made to restructure services across England.
However protesters sparked Mr Hunt to contact the IRP to conduct a further review, speaking about the results today, he said: "I want to thank the IRP for producing such a comprehensive review on a challenging topic.
"The Safe and Sustainable review left too many questions and clearly amounted to a serious criticism of the process.
"I therefore accept the proposals cannot go ahead in their current form and I am suspending the review today."
But the Health Secretary insisted the "clinical case for change remained" and said the IRP report did not amount to "a mandate for the status quo".
Mr Hunt will now give NHS England time to reflect but expects to hear from them no later than the end of July with how they intend to proceed.
However the suspension does not mean another review won't take place.
Mr Hunt said: "The overwhelming consensus is that we cannot stick with current model.
"We will continue with the process albeit in a different way, one that can carry the confidence of the public."
The Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Council, Peggy Elliott, who has spearheaded the Grimsby Telegraph back campaign Save Our Surgery, said: "I am so relieved that Mr Hunt has made this decision.
"We live to fight another day.
"He obviously believes there needs to be a review carried out but I am glad he saw that the way this one was going was flawed and needed to be stopped.
"I feel all the campaigners across Grimsby have been listened to and I am very happy."
Echoing Mrs Elliott's views is Joanne Rilatt, of Grimsby, mother of Benjamin, 8, who has had cardiac surgery at Leeds children's heart unit.
She said: "I was fixed to the news and was thrilled to hear the word "suspended" come out of Mr Hunt's mouth.
"It is another step in the right direction.
"I support the need for a review to take place but it needs to be done fairly taking into account all the views of families who use the service.
"I believe Leeds stands in a very good position especially after everything that has been revealed as part of this process."
To see the IRP's full report into children's heart surgery which was sent to Jeremy Hunt, visit www.irpanel.org.uk
