Councillors in Leeds have threatened legal action over a refusal to release documents relating to moves to close the city’s children’s heart surgery unit.
A solicitor’s letter has been sent by Leeds City Council demanding the papers within 14 days – or further action, including potentially an injunction, could follow.
The letter is on behalf of a committee of Yorkshire councillors who have condemned the closure of the Leeds General Infirmary ward.
It reminds the National Specialised Commissioning Team, the NHS body which drew up the proposal, of their duty to provide information about health services.
The letter says: “I require you to supply the documentation requested within 14 days of the date of this letter. Failing which I will advise my client of the enforcement options available to it, to include an application for an injunction to require compliance with your duties under the regulations.”
The chairman of the Yorkshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Leeds councillor John Illingworth, has been embroiled in a row with NHS chiefs over the disclosure of paperwork.
He said: “Legal action is a possibility.”
Jeremy Glyde, programme director for the review of children’s heart surgery, said: “We have published large volumes of relevant material and all the information that the NHS relied upon to make its decision last summer has been in the public domain. We will respond to the letter from Leeds City Council.”
Last week Leeds campaigners won a legal challenge over the way the decision to close the unit was made. Further action will be decided on March 27.
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