A LINK between Oxford and Southampton hospitals — which sees county children receive heart surgery in Southampton and other treatment back in the city — has been saved as experts gave it their full backing tonight.

It signals the end of years of uncertainty and worry for parents of Oxfordshire children with complex heart problems and the surgeons who care for them, both here and in the seaside city.

The Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT) — which was tasked with deciding the future of children’s heart services after the government announced that it wanted fewer, larger centres carrying out more operations — has included Southampton in its plans for the future of surgery.