A LIVERPOOL MP today pleaded with Merseysiders to help safeguard the future of Alder Hey’s heart unit.

Stephen Twigg, MP for West Derby, said a national consultation on children’s cardiac services needed some more Liverpool input, to make sure the hospital’s own unit was not put under threat.

Health chiefs have put forward four options that would reduce the number of centres that perform specialist cardiac services in the UK.

Alder Hey is included in all four options, but Mr Twigg said Merseysiders still needed to show support to make sure it kept its status.

The consultation closes this Friday.

Last week, he and the other four Liverpool MPs tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons, calling for the Government to ensure Alder Hey continues to be a centre for specialist cardiac surgical expertise.

He said: “While I know it was a relief to everyone in Liverpool when Alder Hey was included in all four of the options the Government is consulting on, it is important that as many people as possible respond to the consultation to emphasise just how important it is to Liverpool, Merseyside and the wider North West region that Alder Hey remains a centre for specialist cardiac surgical expertise.

“I would encourage everyone on Merseyside to respond to the Government consultation to make it clear just how important it is to people that Alder Hey remains a centre for specialist children’s heart surgery.”