'Hope' that Leeds heart unit will reopen soon The suspension of the hospital's paediatric heart unit on Thursday came after figures appeared to suggest its death rates were twice as high as would be expected. But clinicians at the hospital say the data is wrong and Sir Bruce Keogh, the NHS's most senior doctor, has faced calls to resign over his decision to close the unit. Doctors from the unit, NHS cardiology advisers and the hospital are due to meet for talks about the closure on Tuesday, according to reports. NHS England defended the closure of the unit amid the ongoing row about the validity of the mortality figures which prompted the decision, but added that there was hope it could soon be reopened provided concerns are lifted. A spokesman said: "As we have stressed, the data and other information raise questions. They do not provide answers. These are for the Trust's review to determine. It must be right to put the safety of children first. It was therefore a highly responsible step to suspend the service. We hope that Leeds will shortly be in a position to restart children's heart surgery secure in the knowledge that everything is OK."‪ Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, said: "This is very clearly the start of a climbdown by NHS England. The decision taken on Thursday was not justifiable and [was] reckless because to jump in on the basis of data that had not been properly verified and turned out to be flawed is irresponsible.