Minister Conny Helder of Health ‘very much regrets’ that the court has annulled the decision for concentration in pediatric heart surgery. She’s resigned to it for the time being.
Helder inherited the issue of concentration in pediatric heart surgery from Ernst Kuipers, who resigned as minister a day before the court in Utrecht overturned the decision. Helder does not intend to take a different position than her predecessor, as is evident from her answers in a letter to the House of Representatives. ‘I very much regret the decision. This not only applies to me, but the patient associations have also expressed that they are disappointed,” Helder writes.
‘Bad news’
‘The concentration of complex interventions in patients with a congenital heart defect is necessary to continue to guarantee the high quality of these interventions in the future. That is in the interest of the patients. And that interest is leading for me. This ruling is therefore bad news for all involved, especially the patients, who, after a long period of discussion about the concentration of this care, are entitled to clarity and are also expressly asking for it.’
As a result of the ruling, pediatric cardiac surgery will no longer be concentrated in the Erasmus MC and the UMCG. The old situation remains valid, in which all five centers that currently perform pediatric heart surgery are allowed to continue.
In conversation
Helder says he does not intend to take ‘irreversible steps’ in the file in the short term. She wants to talk to patient associations, the UMCs and the professional groups. ‘I will also discuss with them what is needed to improve the disturbed relationships within the profession. Based on all this, I will inform you how I believe this file can best be taken forward.’