Leeds hospital child heart referral claims investigated

The Care Quality Commission is looking into claims by two charities that Leeds General Infirmary has not always transferred seriously ill children to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle for potentially life-saving treatment.

The claims are strongly denied by doctors in Leeds.

The revelations come as a judge considers the next steps for a review of child heart surgery in the UK - following a successful legal challenge by campaigners from Leeds fighting the unit's closure.